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ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI-25

SYLLABUS COPY
REGULATION 2013
GE6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND

ENGINEERING L T P C3 0 0 3
UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND

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BIODIVERSITY 12
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Definition, scope and importance of Risk and hazards; Chemical
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hazards, Physical hazards,
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Biological hazards in the environment – concept of an ecosystem
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– structure and function of an ecosystem – producers, consumers
and decomposers-Oxygen cycle and Nitrogen cycle – energy flow
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in the ecosystem – ecological succession processes – Introduction,
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types, characteristic features, structure and function of the (a)
g.n
forest ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c) desert ecosystem (d)
aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams, lakes, rivers, oceans,
et
estuaries) – Introduction to biodiversity definition: genetic,
species and ecosystem diversity – biogeographical classification
of India – value of biodiversity: consumptive use, productive use,
social, ethical, aesthetic and option values – Biodiversity at
global, national and local levels – India as a mega-diversity nation
– hot-spots of biodiversity – threats to biodiversity: habitat loss,
poaching of wildlife, man-wildlife conflicts – endangered and
2

endemic species of India – conservation of biodiversity: In-situ

and ex-situ conservation of biodiversity. Field study of common
plants, insects, birds Field study of simple ecosystems – pond,
river, hill slopes, etc.
UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 10
Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air

ww
pollution (Atmospheric chemistry- Chemical composition of the
atmosphere; Chemical and photochemical reactions in the
w .Ea
atmosphere - formation of smog, PAN, acid rain, oxygen and
ozone chemistry;- Mitigation procedures- Control of particulate
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and gaseous emission, Control of SO2, NOX, CO and HC) (b)
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Water pollution : Physical and chemical properties of terrestrial
and marine water and their environmental significance; Water
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quality parameters – physical, chemical and biological; absorption
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of heavy metals - Water treatment processes. (c) Soil pollution -
g.n
soil waste management: causes, effects and control measures of
municipal solid wastes – (d) Marine pollution (e) Noise pollution
et
(f) Thermal pollution (g) Nuclear hazards–role of an individual in
prevention of pollution – pollution case studies – Field study of
local polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / Agricultural.
UNIT III NATURAL RESOURCES 10
Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case

studies- timber extraction, mining, dams and their effects on
3

forests and tribal people – Water resources: Use and

overutilization of surface and ground water, dams-benefits and
problems – Mineral resources: Use and exploitation,
environmental effects of extracting and using mineral resources,
case studies – Food resources: World food problems, changes
caused by agriculture and overgrazing, effects of modern
agriculture, fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, salinity,
ww
case studies – Energy resources: Growing energy needs,
renewable and non renewable energy sources, use of alternate
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energy sources. Energy Conversion processes – Biogas –
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production and uses, anaerobic digestion; case studies – Land
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resources: Land as a resource, land degradation, man induced
landslides, soil erosion and
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desertification – role of an individual in conservation of natural
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resources – Equitable use of resources for sustainable lifestyles.
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Introduction to Environmental Biochemistry: Proteins –
g.n
Biochemical degradation of pollutants, Bioconversion of
et
pollutants. Field study of local area to document environmental
assets – river / forest / grassland / hill / mountain.
UNIT IVSOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7
From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems

related to energy – water

conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management –

resettlement and rehabilitation of people; its problems and
concerns, case studies – role of non-governmental organization
environmental ethics: Issues and possible solutions – 12
Principles of green chemistry- nuclear accidents and holocaust,
case studies. – wasteland reclamation – consumerism and waste
products – environment production act – Air act – Water act –
ww
Wildlife protection act – Forest conservation act – The
Biomedical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules; 1998 and
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amendments- scheme of labeling of environmentally friendly
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products (Ecomark). enforcement machinery involved in
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environmental legislation- central and state pollution control
boards- disaster management: floods,earthquake, cyclone and
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landslides. Public awareness.
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UNIT V HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
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Population growth, variation among nations – population
g.n
explosion – family welfare programme – environment and human
health – human rights – value education – HIV / – women andet
child welfare –Environmental impact analysis (EIA)- -GIS-remote
sensing-role of information technology in environment and
human health – Case studies.

Text Books:
1.Dr.A.Ravikrishna,”Environmental Science & Engineering” Revised

Edition, Sri Krishna Publication 2014
2. Gilbert M.Masters, "Introduction to Environmental Engineering and

Science", 2nd edition,Pearson Education, 2004.
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3. Benny Joseph, "Environmental Science and Engineering", Tata
McGraw-Hill, New Delhi, 2006.
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Ref. Books:
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1. Trivedi.R.K., "Handbook of Environmental Laws, Rules, Guidelines,
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Compliances and Standards", Vol. I and II, Enviro Media, 3rd edition, BPB
publications, 2010.
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2. Cunningham, W.P. Cooper, T.H. Gorhani, "Environmental
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Encyclopedia", Jaico Publ.,House,Mumbai, 2001.
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3. Dharmendra S. Sengar, "Environmental law", Prentice hall of India
PVT LTD, New Delhi, 2007. et
4. Rajagopalan, R, "Environmental Studies-From Crisis to Cure",
Oxford University Press, 2005.

Aim and Objective of the Subject

1. To finding and implementing scientific, technological,
economic and political solutions to environmental problems.
2. To study the interrelationship between living organism and
environment.
3. To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its

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impact on the human world; envision the surrounding
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environment, its functions and its value.
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4. To study the dynamic processes and understand the features of
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the earth’s interior and surface
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5. To study the integrated themes and biodiversity, natural
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resources, pollution control and waste management.
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2. Need and Importance for Study of the Subject
 g.n
The study creates awareness among the students to
know about various renewable and nonrenewable
resources of energy. et
 It provides the knowledge about ecological
systems and cause and effect relationships.
 It provides necessary information about
biodiversity richness and the potential dangers to the
species of plants, animals and microorganisms in the
environment.

 The study enables one to understand the causes and

consequences due to natural and main induced
disasters (flood, earthquake, landslide, cyclones etc.,)
and pollutions and measures to minimize the effects.
 The study exposes the problems of over population,
health, hygiene, etc. and the role of technology in
eliminating/ minimizing the above factors.
 The study motivates students to get involved in
ww community action, and to participate in various

environmental and management projects.
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3. Industry Connectivity and Latest Developments
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 Study of industrial air pollution, water pollution, noise
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pollution
 Use of natural resources in effective manner in industries
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 Recent techniques about renewable energy sources
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 Recent waste water treatment methods
 Role of Information Technology in environmental science.
4. Industrial Visit (Planned if any)
rin
g.n
Visiting cement factory- to study the air pollution control
equipments.
et

COURSE PLAN
GE 6351 Environmental Science and Engineering
Page No
ce Book
Referen
Lect.No
Unit No
Week
Text/
Topics to be covered
I-ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY
ww
1 Definition, scope and importance of Risk
and hazards
T1 1.1-1.4
2
w Chemical hazards, Physical hazards,
.Ea
Biological hazards in the environment
Concept of an ecosystem, structure and
function of an ecosystem – producers,
T1 1.5-1.7
1.9-
3
syE
consumers and decomposers-Oxygen
cycle and Nitrogen cycle
T1 2.8,2.6-
2.15
4 ngi
Energy flow in the ecosystem – ecological
succession processes – Introduction, T1,T3
2.16,2.1
7,76
types, characteristic features,
nee
Structure and function of the (a) forest
37-56,
I
5
I
ecosystem (b) grassland ecosystem (c)
desert ecosystem (d)
rin
R4,T1,
T3
2.19-
2.28,85-
aquatic ecosystems (ponds, streams,
lakes, rivers, oceans, estuaries). g.n 88
6
Introduction to biodiversity-definition:
genetic, species and ecosystem diversity-
biogeographical classification of India
Value of biodiversity: consumptive use,
T1,T3
3.1-
3.5,94-
96
3.6-
et
7 productive use- social, ethical, aesthetic T1,T3 3.11,96-
and option values 101
Biodiversity at global, national and local 69-
8 levels – India as a mega-diversity nation- R4,T1, 78,3.11- II
hot-spots of biodiversity – threats to T3 3.24,
biodiversity: 102-104
9 habitat loss, poaching of wildlife, man- 3.24-
T1,T3
wildlife conflicts- endangered and endemic 3.33,
9

species of India 105-108

Conservation of biodiversity: In-situ and 3.33-
10 ex-situ T1,T3 3.40
conservation of biodiversity 109-112
11 Field study of common plants, insects,
birds
12 Field study of simple ecosystems – pond,
river, hill slopes, etc.
13 Review of I Unit
ww II – ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
14
w Definition – causes, effects and control
.Ea
measures of: (a) Air pollution (Atmospheric
chemistry-
R4,T1,T
2
171-178
4.1-4.10,
15
syE
Chemical composition of the atmosphere
Chemical and photochemical reactions in the
367
4.11-4.13,
16 ngi
atmosphere - formation of smog
PAN, acid rain, oxygen and ozone chemistry;-
T1,T2
384
4.13-4.24, III
17
Mitigation procedures
nee
Control of particulate and gaseous emission,
T1,T2
394
380,382,3
Control of SO2, NOX, CO and HC)
Water pollution : Physical and chemical rinT2
85,394
18 II properties of terrestrial and marine water and

their environmental significance g.n
T1,T2
4.24-4.27,
173
19 Water quality parameters- physical, chemical

and biological; absorption of heavy metals
T1,T2 et
4.27-4.37,
185-196
4.49-4.54,
20 Water treatment processes T1,T2
289
IV
4.55-
Soil pollution - soil waste management:
21 4.60,4.71-
causes, effects and control measures of T1,R1
4.74,
municipal solid wastes – Marine pollution
101-5.117
22 Noise pollution - Thermal pollution- Nuclear 4.76-
T1,R1 IV
hazards- role of an individual in prevention of 4.80,4.87-
10

pollution 4.92,
5.122-
5.147
Pollution case studies – Field study of local
23 polluted site – Urban / Rural / Industrial / R4 601-615
Agricultural.
24 Review of II unit
III-NATURAL RESOURCES
ww
25
Forest resources: Use and over-
exploitation, deforestation, case studies-
R4,T1,
T3
136-
141,5.1-
5.13,17-
26
w timber extraction, mining
.Ea
Dams and their effects on forests and tribal
people-Water resources: Use and R4,T1,
27
104-116,
5.13-
syE
overutilization of surface and ground
water, dams-benefits and problems
T3 5.22,28-
47
27
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Mineral resources: Use and exploitation,
environmental effects of extracting and
using mineral resources, case studies
T1,T2
5.23-
5.31,
97-101
V
Food resources: World food problems,
changes caused by agriculture and nee 5.33-
28
III overgrazing- effects of modern agriculture,
fertilizer-pesticide problems, water logging, rin
T1,T3 5.41,
48-56
salinity, case studies
Energy resources: Growing energy g.n
29 needs, renewable and non renewable
energy sources, use of alternate energy
sources.
T1,T3
5.43-
5.64,
57-63
et
Energy Conversion processes – Biogas – 5.65-
30 production and uses, anaerobic digestion; T1,T2 5.68,
case studies 690-694
Land resources: Land as a resource, land 5.68-
31 VI
degradation, man induced landslides, soil T1,T2 5.76,
erosion and desertification 64-68
32 Role of an individual in conservation of 5.76-
T1,T3
natural resources – Equitable use of 5.80,
11

resources for sustainable lifestyles 69-72

Introduction to Environmental
5.80-
33 Biochemistry: Proteins- Biochemical
T1,T2 5.86,
degradation of pollutants, Bioconversion of
70-74
pollutants
Field study of local area to document
34 environmental assets – river / forest /
grassland / hill / mountain
35 Review of III Unit
IV-SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT
ww
36
From unsustainable to sustainable
development – urban problems related to
energy – water
T1,T3
6.1-6.10,
210-215
w conservation, rain water harvesting,
.Ea
Watershed management – resettlement
6.11-
6.16,
37
syE
and rehabilitation of people; its problems
and concerns, case studies
T1,T3 220-
238,243
ngi
Role of non-governmental organization 6.18-
VII
38
nee
environmental ethics: Issues and possible
solutions-12 Principles of green chemistry
T1,T3 6.23,
257-261
Nuclear accidents and holocaust, case
studies-wasteland reclamation – rin 6.24-
39 consumerism and waste products –
environment production act – Air act – g.n
T1,T3 6.38,
243-246
Water act
Wildlife protection act – Forest
conservation act –
6.38-
et
40 The Biomedical Waste (Management and
T1,T3 6.46,
Handling) Rules; 1998 and amendments-
IV 239
scheme of labeling of environmentally
VII
friendly products (Ecomark).
I
Enforcement machinery involved in
41 environmental legislation- central and state R3 305-316
pollution control boards
42 Disaster management: floods, earthquake, T1,T3 6.52-
cyclone and landslides- Public awareness. 6.53,6.5
12

9-6.61,
200-206
43 Review of IV Unit
V-HUMAN POPULATION AND THE ENVIRONMENT
44 Population growth, variation among 7.1-7.11,

T1,T3 IX
nations – population explosion 266-268
Family welfare programme – environment 7.11-
45 and human health- human rights – value T1,T3 7.24,
education 277,282
ww
46 T1,T3
7.24-
7.32,
278-
w HIV/AIDS- women and child welfare
.Ea
280,286-
287
7.32-
47
syE
Environmental impact analysis (EIA)- T1,T2 7.34,
402-406
X
48
ngi
GIS-remote sensing T1,T2
7.36-
7.38,
49
Role of information technology in
environment and human health- Case
nee T1,T3
464-465
7.34-
7.36,
studies.
rin 288
50 Review of V Unit
COURSE OUTCOMES: g.n
Upon completion of the course………. et
The student should be able to apply ethics in society, discuss
the ethical issues related to engineering and realize the responsibilities
and rights in the society
13

UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM

AND BIODIVERSITY
PART-A
1. Define the term producer and consumers. (A.U May 2008)

(TNV A.U. Dec 2008)
ww (i) Producer synthesizes their food themselves through

photosynthesis.
w(ii)
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Consumers are organisms which cannot prepare their
own food and depends directly or indirectly on the
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producer.
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2. What is ecological succession? Mention their types.
nee
(A.U June 2005)(TCY A.U. Dec 2009)
rin
The progressive replacement of one community by another
till the development of stable community in particular area is
called ecological succession. g.n
Types: (i) Primary Succession
Hydrosere (b) Xerosere
et
ii) Secondary Succession
3. What is biodiversity? What is its significance? ( A.U.Dec

2005) ( A.U. June 2006)
14

Biodiversity is “the variety and variability among all

groups of living organisms ad the ecosystem in which they
occur”.
Significance:
 It is very important for human life, as we depend on plants
and animals for our food and medicine, etc.
ww  It protects the fresh air, clean water and land. Loss of

biodiversity has serious economic loss.
w .Ea
4. What are called endangered species? ( A.U. Dec 2006)
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A species is said to be endangered, when its number has
been reduced to critical level unless it is protected and conserved,
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it is in immediate danger of extinction. Example African elephant,
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Giant panda, Siberian tiger, Sandal wood tree, peacock.
rin
5. What are biodiversity hot-spot? Give examples.
g.n
The hot spots are the geographic areas which possess high
endemic species.
Example: i) East Himalayas ii) Western Ghats.
et
6. How does the biome differs from an ecosystem?( A.U.Dec
2007)
On earth the many sets of ecosystems which are exposed
to same climatic conditions and having dominant species with
similar life cycle, climatic adoptions and physical structure. This
15

set of ecosystem is called biome. Thus the biome is a small

ecosystem within an ecosystem.
7. What are the advantages of In-situ and Ex-situ

conservation? (Dec 2012)
Advantages of In-situ conservation:
 The species get adjusted to the natural disasters.
ww  It is very cheap and convenient method.

Advantages of Ex-situ conservation:
w  Survival of endangered species increases.
.Ea
 In captive breeding, animals are assured food,
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water, shelter and security.
 In-situ conservation- Protection of fauna and flora
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within its natural habitat.
nee
8. Define genetic diversity and species diversity.
(Dec2007,2008,2010)
rin
Genetic diversity is the variation of genes within
g.n
species. ie .,variation of genes within the species eg; rice
varieties
et
Species diversity is the number of different species of
living organisms available in an area. Eg; animal species lion,
tiger
10. Mention the abiotic components. (May/June 2013,)
16

Physical and Chemical components such as climatic

factors, edaphic factors, geographical factors, energy,
nutrients and toxic substances constitute the abiotic structure.
11. Why is India is a mega diversity nation? (Nov/Dec 2009)

India is one among the 12 mega – diversity countries in
the world. It has 89,450 animal species accounting for 7.31%
wwof the global faunal species and 47,000 plant species which
accounts for 10.8% of the world floral species. The loss of
w
biodiversity or endemism is
.Ea
about 33%.
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12. What is ecosystem? (A.U June 2007) (Coim &TNV AU Dec
2009)
ngi
A group of organisms interacting among themselves and
with environment is known as neeecosystem. It is community
rin
of different species interacting with one another and with their
non-living environment exchange energy and matter.
g.n
13. List out the effect of habitat loss on biodiversity? (Dec’13)
i) Deforestation ii) Destruction of wetlands iii) Habitat et

fragmentation iv) Raw material v) Production of drugs vi) Illegal
trade vii) Developmental activities.
14. Give any two examples for physical hazards and chemical
hazards?.(May 2016)
i) Noise pollution ii) Radioactive radiation

17

chemical hazards :
i)CO ii) sulphur di oxide iii) nitrous oxide
15.How is nitrogen fixed in soil?

The symbiotic bacteria called rhizobia with in nodules in
their root system roducing nitrogen compounds that help the plant
to grow and compete with other plants. When the plant dies ,the
ww
fixed nitrogen is released, making it available other plant to fix in
the soil.
w .Ea PART – B & C
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1. (a) Discuss in detail about the nitrogen cycle and oxygen
cycle.
Nitrogen cycle ngi (May 2016)
nee
Nitrogen is present in the atmosphere as N2 in large
different forms as food. r

amounts (78%). The nitrogen is present in all nitric components in
ing
Example: Proteins, Vitamins, Amino acids, etc,.
.ne
1 The N2 from the atmosphere is taken up by the green
t
plants as a raw material for biosynthesis of different
foods (amino acids, proteins, Vitamins) and used in
metabolism.
2 After death of the plants and animals, the organic
nitrogen in dead tissues is decomposed by several
18

micro organisms into ammonia, nitrates and nitrates,

which are again used by the plants.
3 Some bacteria convert nitrates into molecular nitrogen
(N2), which is again released back into atmosphere and
the cycle goes on.
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
Nitrification: g.n
 The conversion of ammonia into nitrates is termed as
nitrification. et
 This is brought about by nitrifying bacteria.
Example: Nitrobacter, nitrosomonas.
Denitrification:
 The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen (N2) is termed as
denitrification.
19

 This process is brought about by denitrifying bacteria.

Example: Pseudomonas, fluorescence.
Oxygen Cycle
Oxygen Cycle is the cycle that helps move O2 throw three main
regions of the earth.
1) Atmosphere
ww 2) The biosphere
3) The lithosphere
w
1. The Atmosphere
.Ea
i) The region of the gases lies above the earth surface.
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ii) It is largest reservoirs of free oxygen on earth
iii) In the atmosphere oxygen is released by the process is called
ngi
photosynthesis (Convert CO2 and H2O in to carbohydrate and O2
6CO2 + 6H2O + hv
nee 6O2 + C6H12O6
rin
g.n
2. The biosphere
i) Biosphere is the sum of all the earth ecosystem.
et
ii) Main cycles are respiration and photosynthesis
6O2 + C6H12O6 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
3. The Lithosphere
i) Largest reservoir of oxygen
ii) Oxygen is present as silicates and oxides.
20

iii) Oxygen contained minerals undergo chemical reaction to

produce free oxygen
Respiration
6O2 + C6H12O6 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy 6O2 + C6H12O6

Photosynthesis
ww Atmosphere Oxygen (O2)
w .Ea Organic Molecule
syE
ngi Oxygen Cycle
Respiration
Photosynthesis
nee
rin
g.n
CO2
H2O
et
1.(b) Explain the characteristic features and structure of
aquatic ecosystem. (8marks)
CONTENTS POND LAKE RIVER OCEAN
ECOSYSTEM ECOSYSTEM ECOSYSTEM ECOSYSTEM
1) Fresh 1. Large Running water 1) Salt water

Characters
water natural ecosystem ecosystem
21

ecosystem shallow 1) Dissolved 2) Relatively

2) Occur for water body oxygen is warm
temporary 2. Stagnant more
seasons water body 2)Rich
nutrients
Temperature, Temperature Temperature,li Temperature,
light, water, , light, ght, nutrients, light, NaCl, K,
Abiotic organic and water, pH, organic Ca & Mg salts
components inorganic organic and and inorganic
components inorganic components
ww Producers
components
Producers Producers Producers
w (a)Phytoplankt
.Ea
on:
Microscopic
Submerged,
free floating
and
Phytoplankton
s,
Phytoplanktons
and marine
plants like sea
Ex:syE
aquatic plants
Algae,
amphibious
plants
algae,
watergrasses,
weeds
Biotic
components
Volvox
ngi &
floating plants Eg:
and
amphibious
Eg:Microsphyt
es,
Phytoplankt
ons, algae nee
plants.
Large floating
and
and
flagellates. rin
submerged
plants g.n
Primary
consumers
Zooplanktons
Primary
consumers
Zooplanktons
Primary
consumers
Water insects
et
Primary
consumers
Crustaceans,
eg:Protozoa, eg:Protozoa, and molluscus and
small fishes small fishes small fishes tiny fish.
and and
flagellates. flagellates.
Secondary Secondary Secondary Secondary
consumers consumers consumers consumers
Water beetles Water Small birds mackerel
22

small fish beetles small and mammals

fish
Tertiary Tertiary Tertiary Tertiary
consumers consumers consumers consumers
Large fish Large fish Large fish Cod, Haddock
Decomposers Decomposers Decomposers Decomposers
Bacteria & Bacteria & Bacteria & Bacteria &
fungi fungi fungi fungi
ww
2. (a) Discuss about the threats to biodiversity. (or) Various
threats to biodiversity (or) causes for loss of biodiversity
w
1. Habitat loss:
.Ea
 The loss of populations of interbreeding organisms is
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caused by habitat loss.
 Habitat loss threatened a wide range of animals and plants.
ngi
Factors influencing habitat loss:
A .Deforestation:
nee
rin
The loss of habitat is mainly caused by deforestation
activities. The forest and grasslands are the natural homes of
g.n
thousands of species, which disintegrate due to loss of their
natural habitat.
B. Raw materials:
et
For the production of hybrid seeds, the wild plants are used
as raw materials as a result many plants species become extinct.
C. Production of drugs:
Many pharmaceutical companies collect wild plant for the
production of drugs. Therefore several medicinal plant species
are on the verge of extinction.
23

D. Illegal trade:
Illegal trade on wild life also reduces the bio-diversity and
leads to habitat loss.
E. Developmental activities
Construction of dams and hydro electric projects.
2. Poaching (hunting) of wild life:
ww  Poaching means killing of animals or commercial hunting.

It leads to loss of animal biodiversity.
w
Factors Influencing Poaching:
.Ea
1 Human Population:
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 Increased human population in our country has lead to
pressure on forest resources which ultimately causes
ngi
degradation of wild life habitats.
2. Commercial Activities:
nee
 Though international ban on trading the products of
rin
endangered species smuggling of wild life products
continues. g.n
Wile Life Products: Furs, horns tasks live
specimens’ herbal products.
et
3. Man- Wild Life Conflicts:
 Man- wild life conflicts arise, when wild life starts causing
immense damage and danger to the man.
Examples:
 Very recently, two men were killed by leopards in Powai,
Mumbai.
24

 A total of 14 persons were killed during 19 attacks by the

leopards in Sanjay Gandhi national park, Mumbai.
Factors Influencing Man-Animals Conflicts
 Shrinking of forest cover compels wildlife to move outside
the forest and attack the fields and humans.
 Human encroachment into the forest area induces a
conflict between the man and wildlife
ww  Garbage near human settlements or food crops near forest

areas attracts wild animals.
w
 Villagers put electrical fence around crops
.Ea
 Cash compensation paid by government is very less.
syE
Remedial Measures
ngi
 Cropping pattern should be changed near the forest
borders
nee
 Adequate food and water should be made available for the
wild animals within forest zones. rin
 Solar fences can be increased. g.n
et
 Developmental projects inside forest should be stopped.
2. (b) Discuss the values of Bio-diversity.
Value of biodiversity
The value of biodiversity in terms of its
commercial utility, ecological services, social and aesthetic
value is enormous.
25

i) Consumptive use value: These are direct use values where the
biodiversity product can be harvested and
consumed directly e.g. fuel, food, drugs, fibre etc.
Food: About 90% of present day food crops have been
domesticated from wild tropical plants. A large number of wild
animals are also our sources of food.
Drugs and medicines:
ww i)The wonder drug penicillin used as an antibiotic is

derived from a fungus called penicillium.
w ii)Likewise, we get Tetracyclin from a bacterium. Quinine,
.Ea
the cure for malaria is obtained from the bark of Cinchona tree,
syE
while Digitalin is obtained from foxglove which is an effective
cure for heart ailments.
(i) ngi
Productive use values:
nee
a. These may include the animal products like tusks
of elephants, musk from musk deer, silk from silk-
rin
worm, wool from sheep, etc, all of which are
traded in the market. g.n
et
b. Many industries are dependent upon the productive
use values of biodiversity
Ex. the paper and pulp industry, plywood industry,
railway sleeper industry, silk industry, ivory-
works, leather industry, pearl industry etc.
(ii) Social value:
26

a. Many of the plants are considered holy and sacred

in our country like Tulsi, peepal, Mango, and
Lotus etc.
b. The leaves, fruits or flowers of these plants are
used in worship or the plant itself is worshipped.
c. Many animals like Cow, Snake, and Peacock also
have significant place in our psycho-spiritual
ww arena.
(iii) Ethical value:
w a. The ethical value means that we may or may not
.Eause a species, but knowing the very fact that this
syE
species exists in nature gives us pleasure.
b. We are not deriving anything direct from
ngi
Kangaroo, Zebra or Giraffe, but we all strongly
nee
feel that these species should exist in nature.
(iv) Aesthetic value:
rin
a. Ecotourism is estimated to generate about 12
g.n
billion dollars of revenue annually.
(v) Option values:
a. There is a possibility that we may have some
et
potential cure for AIDS or cancer with in the
depths of a marine ecosystem or a tropical rain
forest.
27

3. Explain the structure and function of Terrestrial ecosystem.

(16marks)
Terrestrial Ecosystem
The sum total of abiotic and biotic factors and their
interactions of land is called terrestrial ecosystem.
Example: Forest ecosystem, Grassland ecosystem, Desert
ecosystem.
ww
1. Forest Ecosystem
w Forest is an ecological unit. It is a self-sustaining
.Ea
ecological system. It is made of community of plants and animals.
syE
It consists of large trees and thick vegetation. The forest occupies
nearly 40% of the world’s land area. In India it occupies only
ngi
19% of its total land area.
Types of forest ecosystem
i) Tropical rain forests:
nee
rin
 They are found near the equator. They are characterized
by high temperature. g.n
et
 They have broad leaf trees like teak and sandal and the
animals like lion, tiger and monkey.
ii) Tropical deciduous forests:
 They are found little away from the equator. They are
characterized by a warm climate and rain is only during
monsoon.
 They have trees like maple, oak and animals like deer, fox
rabbit and rat.
28

iii) Tropical scrub forests:

 They are characterized by a dry climate for longer time.
 They have small deciduous trees and shrubs and animals
like deer, fox etc.,
iv) Temperature rain forests:
 They are found in temperature areas with adequate
rainfall.
ww  They have coniferous trees like pines, red wood and

animals like fox, cats, bear.,
w
v) Temperature deciduous forests:
.Ea
 They are found in areas with moderate temperatures.
syE
 They have trees like oak, hickory and animals like deer,
fox, bear, etc.,
ngi
Characteristics of forest ecosystems
nee
 The forest maintains climate and rainfall.
 The forest support many wild animals and protect
biodiversity. rin
 The soil is rich in organic matter and nutrient g.n
Structure of forest ecosystem
Abiotic Biotic components
et
components Producers Consumers Decomposers
1. Organic Mainly trees Primary consumers
and inorganic and shrubs Depends on producers Micro
substances living in the for their food. organisms like
present in the ground Eg: Ants, flies, insects, bacterial and
soil and deer etc., fungi
atmosphere. Secondary consumers
29

2. The Depends on herbivores.

climate, Eg: snake, birds, fox
temperature, Tertiary consumers
light and Depends on primary
rainfall. carnivores.
Eg: Lion, tiger etc.,
2. Grassland Ecosystem
ww  It is an ecological unit.
 Grassland is herbaceous vegetation dominated by grasses.
w  It occupies about 20% of earth’s surface.
.Ea
Types of grassland ecosystem
syE
i) Tropical grasslands:
 They found near the borders of tropical rain forests.
ngi
 They are characterized by high temperature and moderate
rainfall.
nee
 They have shrubs, stunted trees and animals like zebras,
giraffes, antelopes, etc., rin
ii) Temperature grasslands: g.n
et
 They are found in the centers of continents, on flat, sloped
hills.
 They are characterized by cold winters and hot summers.
iii) Polar grasslands:
 They are found in arctic polar regions.
 They are characterized by cold and strong winds along
with ice and snow.
30

 They animals like arctic wolf, weasel etc.,

Characteristics of grassland ecosystem
 They exist where the rain fall is low or uneven.
 The soil is very rich in nutrients and organic matter.
 Since it has tall grass, it is ideal place for grazing animals.
Structure of grassland ecosystem
ww components
Nutrients in the
Producers Consumers
Primary consumers
Decomposers
Micro
w
soil and aerial
environment
.Ea
includes, C, H, N,
Mainly
grasses,
forbs and
Depends on producers for their
food.
Eg: cows, deer, sheep etc.,
organisms
like bacteria
and fungi
P, S, CO2, H2O,
nitrates, etc.,
syE shrubs Secondary consumers
Depends on herbivores.
ngi Eg: snake, birds, lizards, fox, etc.,
nee
Tertiary consumers
Depends on primary carnivores.
rin
Eg: hawks, eagle, etc.,
3. Desert Ecosystem g.n

 Ecosystem of arid and semi-arid region is called desert
ecosystem.
et
 It is an ecological unit.
 Plants and animals found therein are also more specialized
to grow in that habitat.
 It occupies about 35% of world’s land area.
Types of desert ecosystems
31

Depending upon the climate conditions deserts can be

classified into the following types.
i) Tropical deserts:
 They are characterized by few species. Windblown and
sand dunes are very common.
 They are found in
 Africa – Sahara desert
ww  Rajasthan – Thar desert

ii) Temperature deserts:
w  They are characterized by very hot summer and very cool
.Ea
winter.
syE
 They are found in
 South California – Majave desert
ngi
 South Africa – Kalahari desert
iii) Cold deserts:
nee
 They are characterized by cold winters and warm
summers. rin
 They are found in g.n
China – Gobi desert, Himalayas - Ladakh desert
Characteristics of desert ecosystem
et
 The desert is air dry and hot climate.
 Annual rainfall is less than 25cm.
 The soil is very poor in nutrients and organic matter.
 Vegetation is poor.
32

Structure of desert ecosystem

components Producers Consumers Decomposers
Dry soil Mainly Primary consumers
with low grasses, Depends on producers for Micro organisms
rain fall and bushes, their food. like bacteria and
high shrubs and Eg: Rabbit, camel, etc., fungi
temperature few trees Secondary consumers
ww Depends on herbivores.
Eg: Reptiles, lizards, etc.,
w .Ea
Tertiary consumers
Depends
carnivores.
on primary
syE Eg: Eagle, agaves, etc.,

4. (a) Explain about the Hot spots of biodiversity.
ngi
Hot spots of biodiversity
nee
rin
 Areas, which exhibit high species richness as well as high
g.n
species endemism, are termed as hot spots of biodiversity.
 There are 25 such hot spots of biodiversity on a global
level out of which two are present in India, namely the
Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats.
et
 These hot spots covering less than 2% of the world’s land
are found to have about 50% of the terrestrial biodiversity.
 About 40% of terrestrial plants and 25% of vertebrate
species are endemic and found in these hotspots.
33

 After the tropical rain forests, the second highest number

of endemic plant species is found in the Mediterranean
(Mittermeier).
 Earlier 12 hot spots were identified on a global level.
 Later Myers et al (2000) recognized 25 hot spots.
 Two of these hotspots lie in India extending into
neighboring countries namely, Indo-Burma region
ww (covering Eastern Himalayas) and Western Ghats – Sri
Lanka region.
w .Ea
a) Eastern Himalayas:
a. They display an ultra-varied topography that
syE
fosters species diversity and endemism.
b.
ngi
Certain species like Sapria himalayana, a parasitic
angiosperm was sighted only twice in this region in
the last 70 years. nee
c.
rin
Out of the world’s recorded flora 30% are endemic
g.n
to India of which 35,000 are in the Himalayas.
(b) Western Ghats:
a.
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala
et
It extends along a 17,000 Km2 strip of forests in
and has 40% of the total endemic plant species.

b. 62% amphibians and 50% lizards are endemic to
Western Ghats.
34

c. The major centers of diversity are Agastyamalai

Hills and Silent Valley- the New Amambalam
Reserve Basin.
d. It is reported that only 6.8% of the original forests
are existing today while the rest has been
deforested or degraded.
4. (b) Explain about the ecological succession and their types.
ww
w
Ecological Succession
.Ea
Ecological succession is defined as an orderly process of
syE
changes in the community structure and function with time
ngi
mediated through modifications in the physical environment and
ultimately culminating in a stabilized ecosystem known as climax.
nee
(i) Hydrarch or Hydrosere: Starting in watery area like
pond, swamp, bog rin
g.n
(ii) Mesarch: starting in an area of adequate moisture.
et
(iii) Xerarch or Xerosere: Starting in a dry area with little
moisture. They can be of the following types:
Lithosere : starting on a bare rock

Psammosere : starting on sand
Halosere : starting on saline soil
Process of Succession
35

The process of succession takes place in a systematic

order of sequential steps as follows:
i. Nudation: It is the development of a bare area, without

any life form. The bare area may be caused due to several
anthropogenic activities.
ii. Invasion: It is the successful establishment of one or more
species on a bare area through dispersal or migration,
ww followed by ecesis or establishment.
w
iii. Competition and coaction: As the number of individuals
.Ea
grows there is competition, for space, water and nutrition.
syE
They influence each other in a number of ways, known as
coaction.
ngi
iv. Reaction : The living organisms have a strong influence
nee
on the environment which is modified to a large extent and
this is known as reaction.
rin
v. Stabilization : The succession ultimately culminates in a
g.n
more or less stable community called climax which is in
equilibrium with the environment
et
5. Explain about the Conservation of biodiversity.
Conservation of biodiversity
Biodiversity is one of the important tools, for sustainable
development. The enormous value of biodiversity due to their
36

commercial, medical, genetic, aesthetic and ecological importance

emphasizes the need to conserve biodiversity.
Types of biodiversity:
a) In-situ conservation (within habitat)
b) Ex-situ conservation (outside habitat)
a) In-situ conservation:
 In-situ conservation involves protection of fauna and flora
ww within its natural habitat, where the species normally

occurs is called in-situ conservation.
w The natural habitats or ecosystems maintained under in-
.Ea
situ conservation are called “protected areas”.
syE
Important in-situ conservation
Biosphere reserves, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries
etc., ngi
Methods of in-situ conservation:
nee
1. Biosphere reserves:
rin
Biosphere reserves cover large area, more than 5000 sq.km. It
is used to protect species for long time. g.n Ex: Nandadevi
nilgiri
Role of Biosphere Reserves:
et
 It gives long-term survival of evolving ecosystem.
 It protects endangered species.
 It protects maximum number of species and communities.
 It serves as site of recreation and tourism.
 It is also useful for educational and research purposes.
37

 It remains and functions as an open system and changes in

land use are not allowed.
Restriction: No tourism and explosive activities are permitted
in the biosphere reserves.
2. National Park:
A national park is an area dedicated for the conservation
of wildlife along with its environment. It is usually a small reserve
ww
covering an area of about 100 to 500 sq. kms. Within the
biosphere reserves, one or more national parks are also exists.
w Ex: Kaziranga national park
.Ea
Role of a National Park
syE
It is used for enjoyment through tourism, without affecting
the environment. It is used to protect, propagate and develop the
wildlife. ngi
3. Wildlife sanctuaries:
nee
A wildlife sanctuary is an area, which is reserved for the
rin
conservation of animals only. At present, there are 492 wildlife
sanctuaries in our country. g.n
Role of Wildlife Sanctuaries
 It protects animals only.
et
 It allows the operations such as harvesting of timber,
collection of forest products; private ownership rights and
forestry operations provided it does not affect the animals
adversely.
 Ex: Mudumalai
4. Gene sanctuary:
38

 A gene sanctuary is an area, where the plants are

conserved.
 Ex: two sanctuaries in north India meant for citrus
Pitcher plant
1. Special Projects:
For certain animals in India
ww Ex: Gir lion project

Advantages of In-Situ Conservation:
w  It is very cheap and convenient method.
.Ea
 The species gets adjusted to the natural disasters like
syE
drought, floods, and forest fires.
Disadvantages of In-Situ conservation:
ngi
 A large surface area of the earth is required to preserve
the biodiversity.
nee
 Maintenance of the habitats is not proper, due to
shortage of staff and pollution. rin
b) Ex-situ conservation g.n
et
Ex-situ conservation involves protection of fauna and flora
outside the natural habitats.
Role of ex-situ conservation:
i) It involves maintenance and breeding of
endangered plant and animal species under
controlled conditions.
ii) It identifies those species which are at more risk of
extinction.
39

iii) It prefers the species, which are more important to

man in near future among the endangered species.
Important Ex-situ conservation
Botanical gardens, seed banks, microbial culture collections,
tissue and cell cultures, museums, zoological gardens.
Methods of ex-situ conservation
ww
The following important gene bank (or) seed bank facilities are
used in Ex-situ conservation.
w 1. National Bureau of plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR). It
.Ea
is located in New Delhi. It uses cryo preservation
syE
techniques to preserve agricultural and horticultural
crops.
ngi
2. National Bureau of Animal genetic Resources
nee
(NBAGR). It is located at Karnal, Haryana. It preserves
the semen of domesticated bovine animals.
rin
3. National facility for plant Tissue culture Repository
g.n
(NFPTCR). It develops the facility for conservation of
et
varieties of crop plants or trees by tissue culture. This
facility has been created within the NBPGR.
Advantages of Ex-situ conservation:
 Survival of endangered species is increasing due to special
care and attention.
 In captive breeding, animals are assured food, water,
shelter and also security and hence longer life span.
40

 It is carried out in cases of endangered species, which do

not have any chances of endangered species, which do not
have any chances of survival in the world.
Disadvantages of Ex-situ conservation:
 It is expensive method.
 The freedom of wildlife is lost.
 The animals cannot survive in natural environment.
ww  It can be adopted only for few selected species.
w .Ea
6. Justify India to be a Mega biodiversity nation with
required data.
syE
 India as a mega diversity nation
ngi
 India is one among the12 mega-diversity countries in
the world.It has 89,450 animal species accounting for
nee
7.31% of the global faunal species and 47,000 plant
rin
species which accounts for 10.8% of the world floral
g.n
species.The loss of biodiversity or endemim is about
33%.
Plants
Fungi
Number
23,000
Animals
Mollusca
Number
5042
et
Bacteria 850 Amphibia 2546
Algae 2500 Birds 1228

 Endemic species
41

 The species which are confined to a particular area

are called endemic species. Our country has a rich
endemic flora and fauna. About 33% of the flowering
plants,53% of fresh water fishes,60% amphibians,36%
reptiles and 10% mammalian are endemic species.

 1. Plant Diversity
ww Nearly5000 flowering plants and 166 crop plant
species have their origin in India.


w .Ea
2. Marine diversity
More than 340 coral species of the world are found
syE
here.

ngi
Several species of mangrove plants and sea grasses are
also found in our country.
 nee
 3. Agro-biodiversity
rin

g.n
There are 167 crop species and wild relativies. India is
considered to be the centre of origin of 30,000 to
50,000 varieties of rice, mango, turmeric, ginger,
sugarcane,etc.
et
 4. Animal biodiversity
 There are 75,000animal species including5,
000insects.
 India is a home to about nearly 2, 00,000 living
organisms.
42

Unit II
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
PART-A
1. Define photochemical smog. ( A.U. Dec 2006)
The brownish smoke like appearance that frequently forms
on clear, sunny days over large cities with significant amount of
ww
automobile traffic. It is mainly due to Chemical reactions among
nitrogen oxides and hydro carbon by sunlight.
w .Ea
2. Differentiate between primary and secondary air pollutants
with examples.
syE
Primary Pollutants
These are emitted directly in the atmosphere in harmful
ngi
form Example: CO, NO, SO2
Secondary pollutants
nee
rin
Some of the primary pollutants react with one another or
with basic components of air to
form new pollutants. NO/NO2 → HNO3/NO3g.n
3. What is meant by BOD and COD? ( TCY A.U. Dec 2008)
et
BOD is the amount of oxygen required for the biological
decomposition of organic
matter present in the water.
COD is the amount of oxygen required for chemical
oxidation of organic matter using
some oxidizing agents like K2Cr2O7 and KMnO4.
43

4. What are the causes of air pollution? (Coim A.U. Dec 2009)
i) Incomplete burning of fossil fuels, liberate CO, NO2,
etc.,
ii) Coal burning in power plant liberates SO2.
iii) Paint, smelters, lead manufacture liberate Pb.
ww iv) Agriculture, decay of plants, liberates hydrocarbon
w
5. What are the causes and effects of ozone layer depletion?
Causes:.Ea
syE
i) Chloro Fluoro carbon (CFC)
ii) Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbon(HCFC),
ngi
iii) Bromo Fluoro Carbon(BFC)
nee
Effects:
i) Affects the aquatic forms. rin
g.n
ii) Increases the average temperature of the earth.
iii) Degrades paints, plastics and other polymeric
materials.
et
iv) UV rays destroy the melamine pigment in human
body.
6. When does a sound causes noise pollutions? or what is
Noise pollution?
The sound intensity is measured in decibel (dB), which is
tenth part of the longest unit Bel. One dB is equal to the faintest
44

sound, a human ear hears. If the intensity of the sound exceeds 1

db, noise pollution occurs.
The unwanted, unpleasant or disagreeable sound that
causes discomfort for all living being is called noise pollution.
7. What is acid rain? What is acid precipitation? (TNV

AU Dec 2008) (AU Dec 2009)
ww  The presence of excessive acids in rain water is known as

acid rain.
w It includes acid rain, acid fog, acid snow and other form
.Ea
of precipitation that is more acidic than normal.
syE
 The presence of SO2 and NO2 gases in the atmosphere
decreases the pH of the water during the rainfall. This type
ngi
of precipitation of water is called acid deposition or acid
precipitation.
SOx + H2O →
nee H2SO4
NOx + H2O → rin
HNO3
g.n
8. State the role and responsibility of an individual of the
prevention of pollution?
et
i) Plant more trees
ii) Help more in pollution prevention than pollution
control
iii) Use water, energy and other resources efficiently
iv) Purchase recyclable, recycled and environmentally safe
products
45

v) Use CFC free refrigerators vi) Use natural gas than coal
vii) Reduce deforestation
9. Differentiate between Mist and Fog. (May’2010)
Mist is made up of liquid droplets generally smaller than

10um which are formed by condensation in the atmosphere or are
released from industrial operations. Fog is similar to mist but the
droplet size bigger (>10u) and water is the liquid. Fog is
ww
sufficiently dense to incomprehensible vision.
w
10. What is marine pollution?
.Ea
(Nov’14)
The discharge of waste substances into the sea

syE
resulting in harm to living resources hazards to human
ngi
health hindrance to fishery and impairment of quality for
use of sea water.
nee
11. What are the objectives of wastewater treatment?
(Nov’09, Nov’13) rin
g.n
i)
ii)
To convert harmful compounds into harmless
compounds.
To eliminate the offensive smell
et
iii) To remove the solid content of the sewage.
iv) To destroy the disease producing micro organisms.
12. What is PAN?
46

PAN is peroxy acetyl nitrates formed by the

photochemical reaction between hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides
and light.
13. Mention the measures to control thermal

pollution caused by industries.
Steps to control thermal pollution caused by industries.

ww
w .Ea
i) Cooling towers
ii) Cooling ponds
iii) Spray ponds
syE iv) Artificial lakes
ngiquality parameters and

14. What are the four water
their importance. nee
i) pH rin
g.n
ii) Dissolved oxygen
iii) Total dissolved solids

et
iv) Colour, odour, taste.
PART B & C
47

1. Explain the various methods of controlling air pollution.

(Or) Discuss the major air pollutants and their impact.
AIR POLLUTION
Definition:
 The presence of one or more contaminants like dust,
smoke, mist, and odour in the atmosphere which are
ww injurious to human beings, plants and animals is called air

pollution.
w
Sources of air pollution:
.Ea
Carbon monoxide:
syE
 Cigarette smoking, incomplete burning of fossil fuels,
Motor vehicle exhaust.ss
ngi
Nitrogen dioxide:
nee
 Fossil fuels burning in motor vehicles and power industrial
plants.
Sulphur dioxide: rin
g.n
 Coal burning in the power plants and industrial processes.
Suspended particulate matter:
 Coal burning in the power plants and industrial plants
et
burning agricultural waste, unpaved roads, construction
of buildings etc.
Effects of air pollution:
Carbon monoxide:
 It increases global temperature.
48

 It causes coma, irreversible brain cell damage and death in

human beings.
Nitrogen dioxide:
 Lung irritation and damage.
 Acid deposition damages plants and trees and it corrodes
the metal.
Sulphur dioxide:
ww  Breathing problems for healthy people.

 Reduce visibility, acid deposition can damage trees, soils,
w plants and the aquatic life.
.Ea
Suspended Particulate matter:
syE
 Nose and throat irritation, lung damage, asthma etc.
Control measures of air pollution:
ngi
 Use only unleaded petrol.
 Use biodiesel, biofuels etc.,
nee
 Use of catalytic converters to help control the emissions
of Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.rin
g.n
 To use mechanical devices like Electrostatic precipitator,
et
Baghouse filter, Cyclone separator, wet scrubber etc.
1. Electrostatic precipitator:
 An electrostatic precipitator (ESP), or electrostatic air
cleaner is a particulate collection device that removes
particles from a flowing gas (such as air) using the force
of an induced electrostatic charge.
49

 Electrostatic precipitators are highly efficient filtration

devices that minimally impede the flow of gases through
the device, and can easily remove fine particulate matter
such as dust and smoke from the air stream.
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
2. Baghouse filters :
et
 One of the most efficient devices for removing suspended
particulates is an assembly of fabric filter bags, commonly
called a baghouse.
 A typical baghouse comprises an array of long, narrow
bags—each about 25 cm (10 inches) in diameter—that are
suspended upside down in a large enclosure.
50

 Dust-laden gases enter the baghouse and pass through

fabric bags that act as filters.
 The bags can be of woven or felted cotton, synthetic, or
glass-fiber material in either a tube or envelope shape.
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
3. Cyclonic separators:
g.n
 Centrifugal collectors use cyclonic action to separate dust
particles from the gas stream. et
 In a typical cyclone, the dust gas stream enters at an angle
and is spun rapidly.
 The centrifugal force created by the circular flow throws
the dust particles toward the wall of the cyclone.
 After striking the wall, these particles fall into a hopper
located underneath.
51

The most common types of centrifugal, or inertial, collectors in

use today are:
Single-cyclone separators:
 They create a dual vortex to separate coarse from fine
dust.
 The main vortex spirals downward and carries most of the
coarser dust particles.
ww  The inner vortex created near the bottom of the cyclone,

spirals upward and carries finer dust particles.
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
Multiple-cyclone separators:
et
 Multiple-cyclone separators consist of a number of small-
diameter cyclones, operating in parallel and having a
common gas inlet and outlet, as shown in the figure.
 Multiple-cyclone separators operate on the same principle
as cyclones—creating a main downward vortex and an
ascending inner vortex.
52

 Multiple-cyclone separators dust collectors are found in all

types of power and industrial applications, including pulp
and paper plants, cement plants, steel mills, petroleum
coke plants, metallurgical plants, saw mills
4. Wet scrubber:
 The term wet scrubber describes a variety of devices that
remove pollutants from a furnace flue gas or from other
ww gas streams.
 In a wet scrubber, the polluted gas stream is brought into
w .Ea
contact with the scrubbing liquid, by spraying it with the
liquid, by forcing it through a pool of liquid, or by some
syE
other contact method, so as to remove the pollutants.
 The design of wet scrubbers or any air pollution control
ngi
device depends on the industrial process conditions and
nee
the nature of the air pollutants involved.
rin
2. Explain the causes, effects and control measure of water
pollution (or) Explain the g.n
various sources, effects and methods of control of water
pollution. (16marks)
et
The alternation in physical, chemical and biological
characteristics of water which may cause harmful effects on
humans and aquatic life.
Sources of water pollution:
1. Inorganic Chemicals:
53

Ex: Water soluble inorganic chemicals.

Human sources (causes):
 Surface runoff, industrial effluents and household
cleansers.
2. Organic Chemicals:
Ex: Oil, Gasoline, plastics, pesticides, cleaning
solvents, detergents.
ww Human sources (causes):

 Industrial effluents, household cleansers, surface
w .Ea
runoff from forms.
3. Sediment:
syE
Ex: Soil, silt, etc.
 ngi
Human sources (causes):
Soil erosion
4. Radioactive Materials: nee
rin
Ex: Radioactive isotopes of iodine, radon, uranium,
cesium and thorium.
Human sources (causes): g.n
 Nuclear power plants, mining and processing or uraniumet
and other ores, nuclear weapons production and natural
sources
Point and Non –Point Sources of water pollution:
Point sources:
 Discharged pollutants at specific locations through pipes,
ditches.
54

Ex: Factories, Sewage treatment plants, abandoned

underground mines and oil tankers.
Non-Point sources:
 Land areas that pollute water by runoff, subsurface flow or
depletion from the atmosphere.
Ex: Acid deposition and runoff of chemicals in to surface
water.
ww
Effects of water pollution
1. Inorganic Chemicals:
w  Can make fresh water unusable for drinking or irrigation.
.Ea
 Causes skin cancers and neck damage.
syE
 Damage the nervous system, liver and kidneys.
ngi
2. Organic Chemicals:
 Causing nervous system damage and some cancers.
 Harm fish and wild life. nee
rin
 Drinking water with excessive levels of nitrates lower the
g.n
oxygen carrying capacity of the blood and can kill urban
children and infants.
3. Sediment:
 Can reduce photosynthesis and cloud water.
et
 Carry pesticides, bacteria and other harmful substances.
4. Radioactive Materials:
 Genetic mutations, birth defects and certain cancers.
Control Measures of water Pollution:
55

 The administration of water pollution control should be in

the hands of Govt.
 Scientific techniques should be adopted in catchment area.
 Industrial plants should be based on recycling operations.
 Possible reuse and recycle of treated sewage effluents.
Control methods of water pollution:
 The alternation in physical, chemical and biological
ww characteristics of water which may cause harmful effects
on humans and aquatic life.
w .Ea
Waste water (or) Sewage Treatment:
 To convert harmful to harmless compounds.
syE
 To eliminate the offensive smell.
ngi
 To remove the solid content of sewage.
 To destroy the disease producing microorganism.
Treatment process: nee
Preliminary treatment:
rin
g.n
Coarse solids and suspended impurities can be removed by
passing it through bar and mesh screens.
1. Primary treatment
In this treatment , greater portion of the suspended
et
inorganic and organic solids are removed from the liquid
sewage by settling. In order to facilitate quick settling
coagulants like alum, ferrous sulphate are added.
2. Secondary or biological treatment:
56

 Biodegradable organic impurities impurities are removed

by aerobic bacteria.
This is done by
A. Trickling filter process
 A trickling filter consists of a fixed bed of rocks, coke,
gravel, slag, ceramic, or plastic media over which sewage
or other wastewater flows downward and causes a layer of
ww microbial slime (bio film) to grow, covering the bed of

media.
w
 Aerobic conditions are maintained by splashing, diffusion,
.Ea
and either by forced air flowing through the bed or natural
syE
convection of air if the filter medium is porous.
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et
57

ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et
 The removal of pollutants from the wastewater stream
involves both absorption and adsorption of organic
compounds by the layer of microbial bio film.
 The filter media is typically chosen to provide a very high
surface area to volume.
58

 Typical materials are often porous and have considerable

internal surface area in addition to the external surface of
the medium.
 Passage of the wastewater over the media furnishes
dissolved air, the oxygen which the slime layer requires
for the biochemical oxidation of the organic compounds
and releases carbon dioxide gas, water and other oxidized
ww end products.
 As the bio film layer thickens, it eventually sloughs off
w .Ea
into the treated effluent and subsequently forms part of the
secondary sludge.
syE
B. Activated sludge process
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et
 The process involves air or oxygen being introduced into a

mixture of primary treated or screened sewage or
59

industrial wastewater (called wastewater from now on)

combined with organisms to develop a biological floc
which reduces the organic content of the sewage.
Activated sludge process involves:
 wastewater aeration in the presence of a microbial
suspension,
 solid-liquid separation following aeration,
ww  discharge of clarified effluent,

 wasting of excess biomass,
w
 Return of remaining biomass to the aeration tank.
.Ea
 In activated sludge process wastewater containing organic
syE
matter is aerated in an aeration basin in which micro-
ngi
organisms metabolize the suspended and soluble organic
matter.
nee
 Part of organic matter is synthesized into new cells and
rin
part is oxidized to CO2 and water to derive energy.
 In activated sludge systems the new cells formed in the
g.n
reaction are removed from the liquid stream in the form of
a flocculent sludge in settling tanks.
 A part of this settled biomass, described as activated
et
sludge is returned to the aeration tank and the remaining
forms waste or excess sludge.
60

3. Tertiary treatment Or Disinfection:

 The purpose of disinfection in the treatment of waste
water is to substantially reduce the number of
microorganisms in the water to be discharged back into
the environment for the later use of drinking, bathing,
irrigation, etc.
 The effectiveness of disinfection depends on the quality of
ww the water being treated (e.g., cloudiness, pH, etc.), the type
of disinfection being used, the disinfectant dosage
w .Ea
(concentration and time), and other environmental
variables.
syE
 Cloudy water will be treated less successfully, since solid
ngi
matter can shield organisms, especially from ultraviolet
light or if contact times are low.
nee
 Generally, short contact times, low doses and high flows
rin
all militate against effective disinfection.
 Common methods of disinfection include ozone, chlorine,
ultraviolet light, or sodium hypochlorite. g.n
3. (a) Discuss the sources, effects and control of Noise
et
pollution (or) Explain the concept of source, path receiver in
the control of noise pollution.
(8marks)
61

Definition:
 Noise pollution is defined as, “the unwanted,
unpleasant or disagreeable sound that causes
discomfort for all living beings.”
Unit of Noise (Decibel):
 The sound intensity is measured in decibel (dB),
which is one tenth of the longest unit Bel.
ww  One dB is equal to the faintest sound, a human ear can

hear.
w .Ea
Noise Level:
 Normal conversation sound ranges from 35 dB to 60dB.
syE
Noise above 140 dB becomes painful.
ngi
Types and sources of Noise:
 Industrial noise nee
 Transport noise
 Neighbourhood noise
rin
Industrial noise: g.n
et
 Highly intense sound or noise pollution is caused by many
machines.
 There exists a long list of sources of noise pollution
including different machines of numerous factories,
industries and mills.
 Industrial noise, from mechanical saws and pneumatic dill
is unbearable.
62

Example:
 In the steel industry the workers are exposed to 112 dB for
eight hours and suffer from the occupation pollution.
Transport noise:
 It mainly includes road traffic noise, rail traffic noise and
aircraft noise.
 Particularly the diesel engine vehicle has increased
ww enormously in recent years.

 According to the experts, the noise level in most of the
w .Ea
residential areas in metropolitan cities is already hovering
on the border line because of vehicular noise pollution.
syE
 A survey conducted in metropolitan cities has shown that
ngi
noise level in Delhi, Bombay and Calcutta is as high as
90dB.
Neighborhood noise: nee
rin
This type of noise includes disturbance from household
g.n
gadgets and community. Common noise makers are musical
instruments, TV, VCR, radios, transistors, telephones and
loudspeakers etc.,
Effects of noise pollution:
et
 Noise pollution affects human health, comfort and
efficiency.
 It causes contraction of blood vessels, makes the skin pale,
and leads to excessive secretion of adrenalin hormone into
blood stream which is responsible for high blood pressure.
63

 It causes muscles to contract leading to nervous

breakdown, tension etc.,
 These adverse reactions are coupled with a change in
hormone content of blood, which in turn increase the rate
of heart beat.
 It affects health efficiency and behavior.
 It may cause damage to heart, brain and liver.
ww  When exposed to very loud and sudden noise acute
damage occurs to the ear drum.
w .Ea
 In addition to serious loss of hearing due to excessive
noise, impulsive noise also causes psychological and
syE
pathological disorders.
ngi
 Ultrasonic sound can affect the digestive, respiratory,
cardio vascular systems.
nee
 Brain is also affected by loud and sudden noise as that of
jet and aero plane noise etc.,
rin
 Blood also thickened by excessive noises.
g.n
 Impairment of night vision and decrease in the rate of
colour perception are some of its severe effects.
Control measures of noise pollution:
et
1. Source control:
This may include source modification such as
acoustic treatment to machine surface, design changes.
2. Transmission path intervention:
64

This may include containing the source inside a

sound insulating enclosure, construction of a noise barrier.
3. Receptor control:
This includes protection of the receiver by altering
the work schedule or provision of personal protection
devices such as ear plugs for operating noisy machinery.
4. Oiling:
ww 5.
Proper oiling will reduce the noise from the machines.
Planting trees
w .Ea Around houses can also act as effective noise
barriers.
6.
syE
Usage of absorptive materials
To control interior noise.
ngi
Preventive Measures:
nee
 Noise can be reduced by prescribing noise limits for
rin
vehicular traffic, ban on honking of horns.
g.n
 Creation of silent zones near schools and hospitals.
 Redesigning of buildings to make them noise proof.
 Reduction of traffic density.
et
3. (b) Write a note on disposal of radioactive wastes (or)
Explain the effects nuclear and radiation pollution.
(8marks)
Nuclear Pollution (Radio Active Pollution)
Introduction:
65

Nuclear energy is used to produce clean electric power.

The energy released in the splitting of nuclei in the atoms is used
to generate electricity.
Sources:
 Natural sources.
 Manmade (Anthropogenic) sources.
Natural sources:
ww  Space-Emits cosmic rays.

 Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radon-222etc. also contain
w .Ea
one or more radioactive substances.
Man-made sources:
syE
Power plants, X-rays, bombs etc. where radioactive
ngi
substances are used.
Effects:
nee
 Exposure of the brain and CNS to radiation causes death
within hours or days.
rin
 Eye on radiation forms cataracts that impair sights.
g.n
 It leads to vomiting; bleeding of the gums, mouth ulcers.
 Blood vessel damage show red spots on the skin. et
 Unborn children are vulnerable to brain damage or mental
retardation.
Control measures:
 Nuclear devices should not be exploded in air. It should be
exploded underground.
66

 In reactors, gaseous coolants may used to prevent

extraneous activation products.
 Containments may decrease the radioactive emissions.
 Nuclear medicines and radiation therapy should be applied
when necessary with minimum dose.
 Use of high chimneys and ventilations at the working
place seems to be an effective way for dispersing radio-
ww pollutants.
 Disposal methods make the pollutant in a confined place
w .Ea
to spread over a large space such that pollution can be
weakened and its effects can be reduced.
syE
Disposal of Radioactive wastes (Nuclear Hazards):
ngi
1. High level wastes. (HLW)
Ex: Spent nuclear fuel
nee
 HLW have a very high radioactivity per unit volume.
rin
 Since they are too dangerous, must be contained either by
g.n
converting them into inert solids (ceramics) and then
buried deep into earth or stored in deep salt mines.
2. Medium level wastes.
Ex: Filters, reactor components, etc.,
et
 MLW is solidified and are mixed with concrete in steel
drums before being in deep mines or below the sea bed
in concrete chambers.
3. Low level wastes.
67

Ex: Solids or liquids contaminated with traces of

radioactivity.
 LLW are disposed off in steel drums in concrete-lined
trenches.
4. What is Thermal pollution and explain its effects and
control measures. (16marks)
Definition:
ww Addition of excess of undesirable heat to water that makes

it harmful to man, animals or aquatic life is called thermal
w
pollution.
.Ea
Causes of Thermal Pollution:
syE
i) Nuclear power plants.
ii) Coal-fired power plants.
ngi
iii) Industrial effluents.
iv) Domestic sewage.
nee
v) Hydro-electric power.
Nuclear power plants: rin
g.n
 It includes drainage from hospitals, research institutes, and
et
nuclear experiments & explosions discharges toxic radio
nuclides into nearby water streams.
 Heat effluents from power plants are discharged at 10° C
higher than the receiving water which affects the aquatic
flora and fauna.
Coal-fired power plants:
 Constitute the major sources of thermal pollutants.
68

 Heat effluents decrease the dissolved oxygen content of

water.
 It results into killing of fish and other marine organisms.
Industrial effluents:
 The discharged water from stream-electric power industry
using turbo generators will have a higher temperature
ranging from 6° C to 9° C than the receiving water.
ww  It results in the increase of stream temperature to a level at

which natural dissipation of heat will be inefficient.
w .Ea
Domestic sewage:
 It is commonly discharged into rivers, canals or streams
syE
with or without waste treatment which has higher
ngi
temperature than receiving water.
 It decreases the content of dissolved oxygen and the of
oxygen increases. nee
rin
 This will set up the anaerobic condition results in release
of foul and offensive gases in water.
 The marine organism will die out. g.n
Effects of Thermal Pollution:
Reduction in dissolved oxygen:
et
 When the temperature in water increases, there is
reduction in dissolved oxygen.
Increase in Toxicity:
 The rising temperature increase the toxicity of the poison
present in water
69

 A 10° C rise in temperature doubles the toxic effect of

potassium cyanide causing massive mortality of fish.
Interference with biological activities:

 The temperature changes totally disrupt the entire
ecosystem like controlling respiratory rates, digestion,
excretion and overall development of aquatic organisms.
ww Direct mortality:
 Unutilized heat in water is responsible for direct mortality
w .Ea
of aquatic organism.
 Above a particular temperature death occurs to fish due to
syE
failure in respiratory system, nervous system process.
ngi
Control measures of thermal pollution:
 Cooling towers.
 Cooling ponds. nee
 Spray ponds.
 Artificial lakes.
rin
Cooling towers: g.n
 It transfers some of the heat from hot water to the
surrounding atmosphere by the process of evaporation.
et
 It is used to dissipate the recovered waste heat to eliminate
the problems of thermal pollution.
Types of cooling towers
1. Wet cooling towers
70

 Hot water coming out from the condenser is

allowed to spray over baffeles.
 Cool air with high velocity is passed from sides,
which takes away the heat and cools the water.
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
2. Dry cooling tower:
nee
 Hot water is allowed to flow in a long spiral pipes.
rin
 Cool air is passed over these hot pipes, which cools
Cooling ponds:
down the hot water.
g.n
et
 It is the simplest method of cooling thermal discharges.
 Heated effluents maximize the dissipation of heat to the
atmosphere & minimize the water area and volume.
 This warm water wedge acts like a cooling pond.
Spray ponds:
 The water from the condenser is pass into the ponds
through sprayers
71

 The water is sprayed through nozzles as fine droplets.

 Heat from the fine droplets gets dissipated to the
atmosphere.
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
Artificial lakes:
rin
g.n
 Man made bodies of water which offer possible alternative
to once-through cooling.
et
 Heat effluents can be discharged into the lake at one end
& water withdrawn from the other end.
 The heat is eventually dissipated through evaporation.
5. (a) Explain the methods of Disposal of municipal solid
waste (or) Discuss briefly the disposal of municipal solid
waste.
Solid waste management (or) waste shed management
72

A) Land fill B) Incineration C) Composting

Landfill:
 Solid wastes are placed in sanitary landfill system in
alternative layers of 80cm thick refuse, covered with
earth fill of 20 cm thickness.
 After two or three years, solid waste volume shrinks
by 25-30% and the land is used for parks, roads and
ww
Advantages:
small buildings.
w
 Simple & economical.
.Ea
 Segregation not required.
syE
 Landfills can be used for other purposes.
 Natural resources are returned & recycled.
Disadvantages: ngi
 Large area is required. nee
 Transportation cost is heavy.
rin
 Causes fire hazard due to the formation of methane in wet
weather. g.n
Incineration (or) Thermal Process:
 The combustible substances such as paper, rubbish,
et
garbage a burnt in the incinerators.
 The left out ashes, clinkers from incinerators accounts for
10 to 20% which need for further disposal by sanatory
landfill.
73

 The heat from the incinerator is used for producing

electricity throughout turbines.
 The wet waste is dried in preheated called destructors
which can incinerate about 100 to 150 tons per hour.
 The temperature maintained in combustion chamber about
700oC & increased to 1000oC when electricity is to be
generated.
ww
w
Advantages:
.Ea
 The clinker can be used for other purposes; residue is only
20-25%. syE
 It requires very little space.
ngi
 Cost of transportation is not high as incinerators are within
city limits. nee
 Safest from hygienic point of view.
rin
 An incinerator of 300 tons per day can generate 3MW of
power. g.n
Disadvantages:
 Its capital &operating cost is high.
et
 Needs skilled personnel.
 Needs further disposal of smoke & dust to reduce air
pollution.
Composting:
74

 In this method, bulk organic waste is converted into

fertilizing manure by biological action.
 The separated biodegradable waste is dumped in
underground earthen trenches in layers of 1.5m & is
finally covered with earth of about 20 cm and left over for
decomposition.
 For active decomposition microorganisms such as
ww actinomycetes are introduced.

 After 2 to 3 days biological action starts & temperature is
w .Ea
increased about 75°C & finally odourless powdery brown
coloured mass known as humus which has fertilizing
syE
value can be used for agricultural field.
 It contains a lot of nitrogen, phosphates & other minerals.
ngi
 WHO has set up a compost plant in New Delhi in
nee
1981with capacity of 90 to 100 tons of waste every day.
Advantages:
rin
 When this is added to soil, it increases water retention &
ion exchange capacity of soil. g.n
 Industrial solid wastes can also be treated. et
 It can be sold, thus it reduces cost of disposing of wastes.
 Recycling occurs.
Disadvantages:
 The non-consumables have to be disposed separately.
 No assured market, as it does not reach farmers.
75

5. (b) Explain causes, effects of Marine pollution.

(8marks)
Definition
 The discharge of waste substances into the sea resulting in

harm to living resources, hazards to human health,
hindrance to fishery and impairment of quality for use of
ww sea water.
w
Sources:
.Ea
Dumping the wastes:
 syE
The most serious issue is dumping of untreated wastes and
ngi
sewage into oceans by the coastal towns and cities and

industrial units into rivers.
nee
Rivers receive huge amount of sewage, garbage,
rin
agricultural discharge, pesticides, including, heavy metals.

g.n
Huge quantity of plastic is being dumped in sea.
Effects: et
 Many marine birds ingest plastic that causes gastro
intestinal disorders.
Oil pollution of marine water:
76

 The great damage to water is imposed by petroleum and

its products.
 Heavy petroleum products precipitate to the bottom or
absorbed on rock, stone, and sand banks to inhibit the life
of hydrocarbons.
 One drop of petroleum spreads over a great area to isolate
the water from contact with atmospheric oxygen.
ww Examples:
w
.Ea
Oil enters water from cracks of oil tankers, accidental
spillage, cleaning of fuel tanks by merchant and warships
syE
and also from street cleaning.

ngi
Heavy petroleum products precipitate to the bottom or an
nee
adsorbed on rock, stone and sand blanks to inhibit the life
of hydrobionts.
Effects rin
g.n

et
The continuous oil films inhibit photosynthesis and the
formation of oxygen.
 This inhibits the growth of plankton, which is the main
source of the hydrobionts inhabiting the water body.
 All aquatic animals depend either directly or indirectly on
plankton, which is the basis of the tropic chain.
77

 The surface of water in contact with the shore is usually

contaminated with oil, which interferes with the normal
development of many hydrocarbons.
Effects of marine pollution:
 The presence of heavy metals and organic pollutants cause

more damage in birds as thinning of eggshell and tissue
ww 
damage of eggs.
w Oil pollution cause damage to marine fauna and flora
.Ea
including algae, fish, birds, invertebrates.
 About 50,000 to 2, 50,000 birds are killed every year by
oil. syE

ngi
Oil spilling in sea water causes abnormally low body
 nee
temperature in birds resulting in hypothermia.
Nearly 150 rare species of bald eagles also became
rin
Victims when they ingested oil during Exxon Valdez

accident
g.n
The continuous oil films inhibit photosynthesis and
formation of oxygen. et
 This inhibits the growth of plankton, which is the main
source of the hydrobionts inhabiting the water body.
 Hydrocarbons and benzpyrene accumulate in food chain
and consumption of fish by man may cause cancer.
78

6. (a) Discuss the role of individual in control of pollution.

(8marks)
1. Plant more trees.
2. Help more in pollution prevention than control
3. Use water, energy and other resources efficiently
ww 4. Purchase recyclable and environmentally safe product.
w .Ea
5. Use CFC free refrigerators.
syE
6. Use natural gas than coal.
ngi
7. Reduce deforestation
nee
8. Increase use of renewable resources.
9. Use organic manure rin

10. Slow population growth g.n
6. (b) Discuss the major soil pollutants and their impact.
et
(8marks)
Definition:
79

 Soil pollution is defined as “the contamination of soil by

human and natural activities which may cause harmful
effects on living being”.
Types:
Soil pollution mainly results from the following sources
ww 

Industrial wastes.
Urban wastes.
w

 .Ea
Agricultural wastes.
Radioactive practices.
 syE
Biological agents.
Industrial wastes:.ngi
 nee
The industrial pollutants are mainly discharged from the
rin
various original such as pulp and paper mills, chemical
g.n
industries, oil refiners, sugar factories, tanneries, textiles,
etc.
 These pollutants affect and alter the chemical and et
biological properties of soil and serious effects on living
organisms.
Urban wastes:
 Urban wastes comprise both commercial and domestic

wastes consisting of dried sludge of sewage.
80

 All the urban solid wastes are commonly referred to as

refuse.
Constituents of urban refuse:
 This pollution is mainly due to garbage & rubbish

materials like plastics, glasses, metallic cans, fibres, paper,
rubber, street sweepings, fuel residues, leaves.
ww  This causes serious effects which is mainly due to
w difficulties in degraded.
.Ea
Agricultural practices:
 syE
Modern agricultural practices pollute the soil to a large

extent.
ngi
nee
Today pesticides, advancing agro-technology, huge
quantities of fertilizers are added to increase the crop
yield.
rin

g.n
Apart from these farm wastes, manure, slurry, soil erosion
containing mostly inorganic chemicals are reported to
cause soil pollution. et
Radioactive pollutants:
Radioactive substances resulting from explosions of nuclear dust

and radioactive wastes penetrate the soil and accumulate there by
creating land pollution.
81

Example:
 Radio nuclides of radium, thorium, uranium, isotopes of

potassium (K-40) and carbon (C-14) are very common in
soil, rock, water and air.
 Nuclear reactor produces waste containing Sr-90, I-129,
Cs-137, and isotopes of iron which are most injurious.

ww Sr-90 gets deposited in bones and tissues instead of
calcium.
w .Ea
Biological agents:
 syE
Soil gets large quantities of human, animal and bird’s
excreta which constitute the major source of land pollution
ngi
by biological agents.
Example: nee

rin
 g.n
Sludge causes serious damages to plants within few years.
As it contains more viruses and viable intestinal worms.
 Waste water, municipal garbage and wrong methods of et
agricultural practices also induce heavy soil pollution.
Control measures of soil pollution:
The pressure on intensification of farm activities increases

for two reasons.
82

 Population growth
 Decrease of the available farm land due to urbanization
6. Write a detailed note on photochemical reactions taking

place in the atmosphere (or)
Discuss about the causes, impacts and control-measures
of ozone depletion in the atmosphere.
ww
Ozone is a gas (O3) found throughout the atmosphere,but most
w
highly concentrated in the stratosphere between 10 and 50km
.Ea
above sea level, where its known as ozone layer.
syE
Without the ozone layer,life on earths surface would not be
possible.It protects us from the damaging ultraviolet radiation of
ngi
the sun.In particular it filters out UV-B radiation.
Mechanism of ozone layer depletion. nee

rin
The ozone layer was attacked by chlorofluoro carbon(CFCs)
g.n
which are released into atmosphere by refrigeration units, air
conditioning systems,aerosol sprays ad cleaning solvents.
Chlorofluoro carbons release chloring which breaks ozone intoet
oxygen.
CF2Cl2 +hυ → Cl + CF2Cl
CF2Cl +O2 → CF2O + ClO
Cl +O3 → ClO +O2
ClO +O.→ Cl+O2
83

Each chlorine atom is capable of attacking several ozone

molecules. So that a long chain process is involved.A 1% loss of
ozone results in a 2% increase in UV rays reaching the earth’s
surface.
Ozone depleting substances.

CFC-Chloro fluoro Carbon
ww
HCFC-HydroChlor Fluoro Carbon.
BFC-Bromo Fluoro Carbons.
w .Ea
Environmental impact:
syE 1) The UV rays damage genetic material
in the skin cells which cause skin
ngi cancer.
nee
2) Prolonged human exposure to UV
rays may lead to slow blindness
rin
called actinic keratitis.
3) Degradation of g.n
et
paints,plastics,polyemeric material.
4) UV rays directly affect the
aquaticforms such as fish,crabs.
Control measures.
1.Replacing CFCs by other materials which are less damaging.
2.Manufacturing and using of ozone depleting chemicals should
be stopped.
Incineration/Deep burial
84

7. What are the effects of heavy metals in aquatic

environment?
Water pollution is any chemicals, biological or physical

change in water quality that has a harmful effect on living organisms
or makes water unsuitable for desired uses.
The effect of metal in water and waste water range from
ww
beneficial through troublesome to dangerously toxic. Some metals
w
are essential, others may adversely affect water consumers,
.Ea
wastewater treatment systems and receiving water. Some metal
syE
may be either beneficial or toxic, depending on concentration.
ngi
Primary mechanism for toxicity to organisms that live in
nee
the water column is by absorption to or uptake across the gills:
rin
this physiological process requires metal to be in a dissolved
g.n
form. This is not to say that particulate metal appear to exhibit
substantially less toxicity than does dissolved metal.
et
Includes all metals, inorganic and organically bound, both
dissolved and particulate will give a unrealistic high value of
those metals that are biological available to aquatic organisms.
Not all metals are acutely in small concentrations. The
heavy metal include Cu, Fe, Cd, Zn, Hg and Pb are most toxic to
85

aquatic organisms. Some water quality characteristic which affect

metal toxicity include T, pH, hardness, anlaklinity
Effects of Heavy metals in aquatic environment
S. Source/Ca
Pollutant Effects
No uses
Minamata disease (resulted from the
ww
1
Industrial
wastes
contaminated waters of the Minamata
bay in Japan in 1953) - causes
w Hg
.Ea
numbness of limbs, lips and tongue,
blurred vision, deafness and mental
derangement.
Lead
syEIndustrial Absorbed into blood and affects PBCs,
2
ngi
wastes liver, kidney, bone, brain and the
penpheral nervous system. Lead
3 Cadmium
nee
poisoning.
Deposited in organs like the kidney,
Cadmium industnes, rin
pancreas, liver, intestinal mucosa, etc.
fertilisers
vomiting, g.n
Cadmium poisoning causes headache,
bronchial pneumonia,
4
Arsenic Fertilisers
kidney necrosis, etc.
et
Arsenic poisoning causes renal failure
and death, It can cause nerve disorder,
kidney and liver disorders, muscular
atrophy, etc.
86

UNIT-III
NATURAL RESOURCES
PART-A
1. What are renewable resources? Give examples
s (A.U. Dec 2009) (TCY A.U. Dec 2008, 09)
These resources are capable of being regenerated by
ecological processes within a reasonable time period. They have
ww
the potential to renew themselves
w
Examples: Soil, water, wind energy, solar energy, etc.,
.Ea
syE
2. What is overgrazing?
Overgrazing is a process of eating away the forest
ngi
vegetation without giving it a chance to regenerate.
nee
3. State the problems caused by the construction of dam.
rin
( A.U. June 2007)
i) Displacement of tribal people
g.n
ii) Loss of forest, flora and fauna
iii) Landslips, sedimentation and siltation occurs et
iv) Stagnation and water logging around reservoirs retards
plant growth.
v) Breeding of vectors and spread of vector-borne
diseases.
4. What is water logging? (A.U. Dec 2006) (Coim. A.U.
Dec 2009)
87

Water logging is the land where water stand for most of

the year.
Problems in water logging:
Pore-voids in the soil get filled with water and the soil-air
gets depleted. In such a condition the roots of the plants do not get
adequate air for respiration. So, mechanical strength of the soil
decreases and crop yield falls.
ww
5. What is mean by soil erosion?
( A.U. June 2007)
w Soil erosion is the process of removal of superficial layer
.Ea
of the soil from one place to another. Soil erosion also removes
syE
the soil components and surface liter.
6. What is deforestation? What are the causes for
deforestation? ngi ( A.U. Dec 2008, Dec 2009)
nee
Deforestation is the process of removal of forest resources
due to many natural and man-made activities. In general
deforestation means destruction of forests. rin
Cause g.n
i) Developmental project leads to destruction of
forest
et
ii) Mining have a serious impact on forest areas.
iii) Forest fires is one of the major cause of
deforestation
iv) Fuel requirement
v) Wood is the important raw material for so many
purpose
88

7. List the advantages and disadvantages of the hydel power.

(Nov’2010)
Advantages:
1. It is renewable & low costs.
2. It is multi-purpose projects helping in controlling
flood, irrigation.
Disadvantages:
ww 1. Affects forest, agriculture land, tribal people.
w 2. create health problems

.Ea
8. What are the effects of the over utilization of ground water?
syE(Nov’2010)
1. Decrease of ground water.
ngi
2. Ground subsidence.
3. Earthquake& landslide. nee
9. What do you mean by environmental impact? rin
(Nov/Dec 2009) g.n
et
The effect on the natural environment caused by various
human actions. It includes 2 types. Indirect effects– Eg:
pollution, Direct effects– Eg: cutting down trees.
10. Write a note on tidal power.

Ocean tides produced by gravitational forces of the
sun and moon contain enormous amount of energy which can
be harnessed by constructing a tidal barrage.
89

11. Write briefly about geothermal energy.

 Temperature of the earth increases at the rate of 20 –
75oC per Km, when we move down the earth’s surface.
 High temperature and pressure fields exists below the
earth’s surface in many places.
 The energy harnessed from the high temperature present
inside the earth is called geothermal energy.
ww
12. Mention the major environment impacts of mining.
w i)
.Ea
Mining reduces the shape and size of the forest
areas.
ii)
syE
During mining operations, vibrations are
developed which leads to earthquake.
iii)
ngi
Migration of tribal people for searching land and
food.
nee
rin
13. What do you mean by natural resources? Give examples.
g.n
Natural resources are the sources which are useful to man
or can be transformed into a useful product. They are classified
into 2 types. et
i) Renewable resources
ii) Non-renewable resources.
14. What do you mean by desertification? Give its effects.

(Nov’13)
90

Desertification is a progressive destruction or degradation of

arid or semiarid lands to desert.
Effect:
 Around 80% of the productive land in the arid and

semi-arid regions are converted into desert.
 Around 600 million people are threatened by
ww desertification.
w
15. How does land degradation takes place? Write its adverse
effects. .Ea
syE
Land degradation is the process of deterioration of soil or
ngi
less of fertility of the soil.
Effects:
nee
i) Loss of soil fertility, soil texture and structure due to
loss of invaluable nutrients.
rin
g.n
ii) Increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity and
acidity problems.
iii) Loss of economic social and biodiversity. et
PART – B & C
1. (a) Discuss the causes, effect and preventive of

deforestation. (8marks)
Deforestation
91

Definition:
It is the process of removal (or) elimination of forest
resources due to many
natural and man-made activities.
Causes of deforestation:
1. Developmental Projects:
They cause deforestation in two ways.
ww  Through submergence of forest area underwater,

 Destructing forest areas for construction works.
w .Ea Ex: Hydro-electric projects, road, dam’s
construction etc.
syE
2. Mining Projects:
 Mining is the process of extracting mineral
ngi
resources from the earth.
nee
 The shape and size of forest is reduced.
Ex: Mining of Mica, Coal, Manganese, Limestone, etc.
3. Fuel Requirements: rin
g.n
Rural and tribal people are dependent on forest for fuel,
et
especially wood. It is also the most important raw material for
industries.
Ex: For making furniture, match-boxes, etc
4. Shifting cultivation:
The replacement of forest eco-system for mono specific
cultivation leads to deforestation.
5. Forest Fire:
92

It is one of the major causes for deforestation. Due to

human interruption and rise in ambient temperature, forest fire
happens now-a-days.
Effects of deforestation:
1. Global warming:
 Cutting and burning of trees increases CO2 content in the
atmosphere.
ww  It results in global climate changes, sea level increases,

depletion of ozone layer.
w .Ea
2. Loss of biodiversity:
 Many species are destroyed due to deforestation.
syE
 Animals and plants depend on them for food and habitat
ngi
become extinct.
3. Soil erosion:
nee
 Natural vegetation acts as a barrier to reduce wind
rin
velocity, due to deforestation it results in soil erosion.
4. Floods and landslides: g.n

et
 Due to deforestation, frequent floods, landslides in hilly
areas and wind speed are heavy.
Preventive Measures:
 Afforestation,
 Conducting awareness program,
 Strict laws implementation,
 Discouraging the usage of wood as fuel,
93

 Controlling forest fire.

1. (b) Discuss about the environmental degradation due to
mineral resources in detail. (8marks)
Mineral Resources
Minerals:
 Minerals are naturally occurring substances having
definite chemical composition and physical properties.
ww
Impacts of Extracting Mineral Resources:
w
Mining:
.EaMining is the process of extraction of metals from
syE
a mineral deposit.
Types of Mining: ngi

1. Surface Mining: nee
rin
It is the process of extracting minerals from
shallow depth of the earth.
2. Underground mining: g.n
et
It is the process of extracting minerals from deep
depth of the earth.
Environmental damage:
1. Devegetation and defacing of landscape:
 The top soil as well as the vegetation are removed
from the mining area.
 Devegetation leads to several ecological losses
94

2. Ground Water Contamination

 Mining pollutes the ground water.
 Usually, sulphur present as an impurity in many
ores, gets converted into sulphuric acid due to
microbial action and converted into sulphuric acid.
3. Surface water pollution:
 The drainage of acid mine often contaminates the n
ww earby streams and lakes.

 It kills many aquatic animals.
w 4. Air pollution:
.Ea
 Smelting and roasting are done to purify the
syE
metals, which emits enormous amounts of air
pollutants damaging the nearby vegetation.
ngi
5. Subsidence of land:
nee
 It is mainly associated with underground mining.
rin
 Subsidence of mining area results in cracks in
houses g.n
Impacts of mining:
 Destruction of natural habitat of many flora fauna in
et
forests
 Over exploitation of mineral resources leads to wastage
and dissemination of mineral deposits.
 It causes noise pollution.
 During minining vibrations occur in earth which may lead
to earth quakes in sever cases.
95

 It reduce the shape of forests.

 It pollute water bodies in nearby areas.
 Migration of tribal people
2. (a) Explain in detail the ill effect of over utilization of
ground and surface water. (8marks)
Over utilization of ground and surface water.
Due to the growth of population and industries demand for
ww
water has also increased, and the nature too can’t recharge again.
Effects:
w
1. Decrease of ground water:
.Ea
Due to over usage of ground water, the ground water level has
decreased.
Reason:
syE
ngi
 Poor rainfall
nee
 Construction of buildings
 Increase in runoff
2. Ground subsidence: rin
g.n
 The sinking of overlaying land surface is known as ground
subsidence.
Problems:
et
 Damage in building.
 Fracture in pipes.
 Reverse the flow of canals.
 Tidal flooding.
3. Lowering of water table:
96

 Over usage of ground water for agricultural activities

results in Lowering of water table.
 Change in speed and direction of water flow.
4. Intrusion of salt water:
 Over usage of ground water near coastal areas
results in salt water intrusion.
Problem:
ww  Water is not fit for drinking purpose.
5. Earthquake and landslides:
w .Ea Decrease in ground water content causes
earthquake, famine and landslides.
syE
ngi
6. Drying up of well:
 Ground water depletion results in drying up of bore well
and dug well. nee
7. Pollution of water:
rin
 Water containing nitrate in agricultural land go
g.n
depth into ground water and pollute ground water
Problem:
 Water is not fit for drinking purpose.
et
2. (b) Discuss in detail the effects (or) Impacts (or) Adverse
effects of modern agriculture.
Effects (or) Impacts (or) Adverse effects of modern
agriculture:
1. Problems in using fertilizer
97

Micronutrient imbalance:
Excess use of Chemical fertilizers contains nitrogen,
phosphorous and potassium causes micro nutrient imbalance in
fields.
Blue baby syndrome:
Use of nitrogenous fertilizers in fields contaminates ground
water.
ww When concentration exceeds 25mg/lit it causes health problem

called blue baby syndrome in infants.
w
Eutrophication
 .Ea Fertilizers contain nitrogen & phosphorous are
syE
washed out by runoff water that
cause over nourishment in lakes.
ngi
 Due to eutrophication algal blooms grows faster
nee
and their quick death pollutes the water.
2. Problems in using pesticides
First generation pesticides: rin
 g.n
Sulphur, arsenic, lead and mercury used to kill
pests.
Second generation pesticides:
et
 Dichloro Diphenyl Trichloromethane (DDT) used
to kill pests.
(a)Death of non target organisms
Few insecticides also kill the non target species
which are useful to us.
98

(b) Producing new pests:

Few pests become immune to pesticides and
survive even after the application of
pesticides. Such pests are called super pests and
they produce highly resistant
generations.
3. Water logging:
ww 
Problem:
Land where water stand for most of the year
w 
.Ea Soil get filled with water & soil pores get depleted,
therefore mechanical strength
Cause:
syE
of the soil decreases.
 ngi
excessive water supply to the croplands


heavy rain
poor drainage
nee
Remedy: rin
 preventing excessive irrigation g.n


subsurface drainage technology
bio drainage by trees like eucalyptus
et
4. Salinity:
 Non absorbed water by the soil undergo
evaporation leaving dissolved salts in the
topsoil, this accumulation is called salinity of the
soil.
99

 Salts may be-sodium chloride, calcium chloride,

magnesium chloride, sodium
sulphate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate.
Problem:
 Water used for irrigation gets evaporated under dry
conditions leaving behind the salts in the upper portion of
the soil, therefore soil becomes alkaline and crop yield
ww decreases.
Remedy:
w
 flushing out of salt deposit by applying good quality of
water .Ea
syE
 Using subsurface drainage system the salt water is flushed
out.
ngi
nee
energy resources. (16marks) rin
3. Write in detail about the renewable and non renewable
g.n
(any two from each)
Renewable energy resource:
et
 It is a natural resource.
 They can be regenerated.
 They can be used endlessly.
1. Solar energy:
100

 We get this energy directly from sun.

 Nuclear fusion reaction taking place in sun produces large
amount of heat and light.
Methods of harvesting solar energy:

a. Solar cells:
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin

g.n
et
It contains p-type and n- type semiconductors in close
contact with each other.
 When sun rays falls on the top layer of p-type
semiconductor, the electrons cross the p-n junction into n-
type semiconductor.
 There by potential difference between two layers is
created, which causes flow of electrons (ie. an electric
current).
101

Use:
 Calculators, water pumps. Solar battery, Solar water heater
etc.
2. Wind energy:
 Moving air is called wind.
 Energy recovered from the force of the wind is called
wind energy.
ww  The energy possessed by wind is because of its high

speed.
w The wind energy is harnessed by making use of wind mills.
.Ea
 The blades of the wind mill keep on rotating continuously
syE
due to the force of the striking wind which turns a
generator to produce electricity.
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
Disadvantages (or)
et
Demerits
1. Public resists for locating the wind forms in populated
areas due to noise generated by the machines and
loss of aesthetic appearance.
102

2. Wind forms located on the migratory routes of birds

will cause hazards.
3. Wind forms produce unwanted sound.
4. Wind turbines interfere with electromagnetic signals
(TV, Radio signals).
b. Wind farms:
 It is the large number of wind mills installed and joined
ww together in a definite pattern.

 They produce large amount of electrical energy.
w .Ea
Advantages:
 No air pollution.
syE
 It is very cheap.
3. Tidal energy:ngi
nee
 Tides are caused by the gravitational force of sun and
moon.
rin
 This energy is harvested by constructing a tidal barrage.
g.n
 During high tide the sea water is allowed to flow into the
barrage. et
 During the low tides the water in the barrage is allowed
into the sea.
 In both the ways the turbine rotates producing large
amount of energy.
103

ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
4. Biomass energy:
g.n
 It is the organic matter produced by plants or animals.
et
 Biomass is the organic matter produced by the plants or
animals which include wood, crop, residues, cattle dung
agricultural wastes etc.
 The burning of biogas cause air pollution and produce a
lot of ash.
 It is therefore more useful to convert biomass into biogas
or bio fuels.
104

 Ex: wood, crop residues, cattle dung …

5.Biogas:
 Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen
and hydrogen sulphide.
 Biogas is produced by anaerobic degradation of animal
wastes in the presence of water.
 Anaerobic degradation means break down of organic
ww matter by bacteria in the absence of oxygen.
 Biogas has many advantages. It is clean, non-polluting and
w .Ea
cheap.
 There is direct supply of gas from the plant and there is no
syE
storage problem
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et
Non-Renewable Energy Resources:

105

 It is a natural resource.
 They cannot be regenerated quickly and requires a long
duration.
 They cannot be used endlessly.
1. Coal:
 It is a solid fossil fuel.
ww  It is formed by the intense heat and pressure on the plants
buried 300 – 400 yrs before.
w .Ea
Various stages of coal:
syE
ngi
Disadvantages:
 It causes global warming.
nee
 It has impurities like S and N. rin
2. Petroleum: g.n
et
 This crude oil is a thick liquid having hydrocarbons like S,
O and N.
 The world has 67% of petroleum reserves.
Occurrence:
 It is formed by decomposition of dead matters buried
under water bodies at high temperature for millions of yrs.
Fractional distillation:
106

 The hydrocarbons are separated from crude- petroleum oil

by purifying and fractionating the crude petroleum oil
 The purified crude oil is then heated to about 400°C in an
iron retort, where the oil gets vapourised. The hot vapours
are then passed into the bottom of a “fractionating
column”
 The fractionating column is a tall cylindrical tower
ww containing a number of horizontal stainless steel trays at

short distances. Each tray is provided with small chimney

w .Ea
covered with a loose cap.
When the vapours of the oil go up in the fractionating
syE
column, they become cooler and get condensed at
ngi
different trays.
nee
rin
g.n
et
Various fractions, compositions and their uses:
107

S.No Name of the fractions Uses

1 Uncondensed gases As a fuel under the name of LPG
2 Petroleum ether As a solvent
3 Gasoline or petrol Fuel for IC engines
4 Naphtha or solvent spirit As a solvent in paints and in dry
cleaning
5 Kerosene oil Fuel for stoves and jet engines
6 Diesel oil Diesel engine fuel
ww 7 Heavy oil Fuel for ships and for production of

gasoline by cracking
w
3. LPG:
.Ea
 It is obtained as a by-product during fractional distillation
syE
of crude petroleum oil or by cracking of heavy oil.
ngi
 It consists of propane and butane.
nee
 It can be readily liquefied under pressure, so it can be
economically stored and transported in cylinders.
 It is colorless and odorless. rin
g.n
 Therefore, mercaptans are used for detection of any
Uses
leakage.
et
 It is used as a domestic and industrial fuel
 It is also used as a motor fuel.
4. Natural gas:
 It is found above the oil in oil well.
 It is a mixture of 50 – 90% of methane.
108

 Its calorific value is 12000 – 14000K.cal/m³.

Occurrence:
 It is formed by decomposition of dead matter under lake at
high pressure.
5. Nuclear energy:
 There are 2 types to produce this energy:
1. Nuclear fusion.
ww 2. Nuclear fission.
Nuclear fission:
w It is a nuclear change where a heavy nucleus is split at
.Ea
high temperatures to form lighter nuclei.
syE
 The large amount of energy released is used to produce
EX ngi
electricity.
92U
235
+ 0n1 → 56Ba139 + 36Kr94 +30n1
Working nee
Light Water Nuclear Power Plant
rin
g.n
et
109

ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
 The fission reaction is initiated by inserting fuel rod into
nee
the reactor and neutrons is allowed to bombarded on the
fuel rods.
rin
 The heat emitted by fission of U235 in the fuel core is
absorbed by the coolant (light water).
g.n
 The heated coolant (water at 300°C) then goes to the heat
exchanger containing sea water. et
 The coolant here, transfers heat to sea water, which is
converted into steam.
 The steam then drives the turbines, generating electricity.
Nuclear power in India:
 Tarapur, Kalpakkam, Ranapratap Sagar and Narora.
110

4. (a) Discuss the role of an individual in conservation of

natural resources. (8marks)
1. Conservation of energy:
 Switch off light, fans and other appliances when not in
use.
 Use solar cooker, this will reduce the usage of LPG.
ww  Dry the clothes in sunlight instead of driers.

 Grow trees near the house and get a cool air, so the
w .Ea
electricity bill will reduce.
 Use always pressure cooker.
syE
 Ride bicycle or just walk instead of using car and scooter.
ngi
2. Conservation of water:
 Use minimum water for all domestic purposes.
nee
 Check for water leaks in pipes and toilets and repair them
promptly.
rin
g.n
 Use drip irrigation to improve irrigation efficiency.
 The wasted water, coming out from kitchen, bathtub, can
be used for watering the plants.
 Build rainwater harvesting system in your house.
et
3. Conservation of soil:
 Grow different types of plants, herbs, trees which bind the
soil and prevent its erosion.
111

 While constructing the house don’t uproot the trees.

 Don’t irrigate the plants using a strong flow of water, as it
will wash off the top soil.
 Soil erosion can be prevented by the use of sprinkling
irrigation.
 Use green manure in the garden.
 Use mixed cropping, so that some specific soil nutrients
ww will not get depleted.
w
4. Conservation of food resources:
.Ea
 Eat only minimum amount of food. Avoid over eating.
 Doesn’t waste the food instead give it to someone before
syE
getting spoiled.
ngi
 Cook only required amount of the food.
 Don’t cook food unnecessarily.
nee
 Don’t store the large amount of food grains.
5. Conservation of forest:
rin
 Use non-timber products.
 Plant more trees and protect them.
g.n
 Grassing, fishing must be controlled. et
4. (b) Describe in briefly the types function and uses of forest.
(8marks)
Forest Resources
 Forests are one of the most important renewable natural

resources on the earth.
112

 It covers one-third of the world’s land surface.
Types of forests:
1. Evergreen forests,
2. Deciduous forests,
3. Coniferous forests.
1. Evergreen Forests:
ww  This forest consists of trees that retain green foliage
w

throughout the year.
.Ea
They are found in equatorial regions, where the rainfall is
heavy.
syE
Ex: The silent valley in Kerala.
ngi
2. Deciduous Forests:
nee
Tropical Deciduous Forests:
rin
 g.n
They are found in tropical monsoon.
 They shed their leaves during summer
season.
et
Temperature Deciduous Forests:
 They shed their leaves during winter season.
113

3. Coniferous Forests:
 These forests consist of trees with needled type trees

which preserve moisture.
Functions Of Forests:
 Habitat to millions of plants and animals,
ww 

Recycle rainwater and remove pollutants,
Control water quality and quantity,
w

 .Ea
Moderate temperature and climate,
Prevent soil erosion,
 syE
Promote tourism and aesthetic value.
ngi
Uses (Or) Benefits Of Forests:
Commercial Uses nee

 rin
g.n
Forests provide timber, fire wood, food material, resin,
gum, non-edible oil, drugs, medicine, rubber, fibers,
bamboo, honey, hides, etc. et
Ecological Uses:
 Production of Oxygen,
 Reducing Global Warming,
 Wild life habitat,
 Regulation of hydrological cycle,
114

 Soil conservation,
 Pollution moderators.
 Minimize the use of papers and fuel wood.
 Avoid of executing developmental work like dam road,
construction in forest area.
5. (a) Write the causes and effects of land (soil) degradation.
(8marks)
ww Effects :
w .Ea
(1) The soil structure and texture are deteriorated.
(2) Loss of soil fertility
syE
(3) Increase in water logging, salinity, alkalinity and
ngi
acidity problems
(4) Loss of economic, social and biodiversity
nee
Causes :
rin
g.n
1. Population : Due to increase in population more pressure on
limited land resources
for food, fibre and fuel wood

et
2. Urbanization : The increased urbanization leads to decrease in
agricultural lands
115

3. Fertilizers and pesticides: Increased use of fertilizers and

pesticides lead to land degradation, soil pollution and water
pollution.
4. Damage of Top Soil : Increase in food production generally

leads to damage of top soil through nutrient depletion.
5. Water-logging, soilerosion, salinity etc leads to land

ww
degradation.
w
5. (b) Explain in detail about causes, effects and control
.Ea
measures of soil erosion. (8marks)
syE
Soil erosion is the process of removal of superficial layer
ngi
of the soil from one place to another.
Types of soil erosion nee

(i) rin
Normal erosion: It is caused by the gradual removal of
top soil by natural process.
g.n
(ii) Accelerated soil erosion : It is mainly caused by
manmade activities et
Harmful effects of soil erosion:
1) Soil fertility is lost
2) Loss of ability of soil to hold water and sediments.
3) Sediment runoff can pollute water and kill aquatic
life.
116

Causes of Soil erosion :
(i) Water : It affects soil in form of rain, runoff

etc.,
(ii) Wind : It carry away the fine particles of soil
(iii) Biotic agents : Over grazing, mining and
deforestation are the major causes for soil
erosion.
ww (iv) Land Slides : It also cause soil erosion.
w (v)
.Ea
Construction : Construction of dams, buildings,
roads remove the protective vegetal cover and
syE leads to soil erosion.
ngi
Control of Soil erosion
nee
1. Conservational or till farming : In this method
the tilling machine makes slits in
rin
the unploughed soil and inject seeds, fertilizers and
water in the silt. g.n
2. Contour Farming : It involves planting crops in
rows across the contour of gently et
sloped land. Each row act as a small dam to hold
soil and to slow water runoff.
3. Terracing: It involves conversion of steep slopes
into series of broad terraces,
which run across the contour. This retains water for
crops and reduces soil erosion.
117

4. Alley Cropping (or) Agro Forestry: It involves

planting crops in strips or alleys
between rows of trees of shrubs, that can provide
fruits and fuel wood.Even after
crops are harvested the soil will not eroded
because trees and shrubs still remain
on the soil and hold the soil.
ww 5. Wind Breaks (or) Shelter breaks: the trees are

planted long rows along the
w .Ea boundary of cultivated lands reduces soil erosion.
syE
6. (a) Discuss the effects of dams on forests and tribal people.
(8 marks)
ngi
Effects of dam on forest:
 Thousands of hectares of forest have been cleared for
nee
executing river valley projects.
rin
 The forest is also cleared for residential accommodation,
office buildings, etc.,
g.n
 Construction of dams under these projects led to killing of
wild animals and destroying the aquatic life. et
 Hydroelectric projects provide opportunities for the spresd
of water borne diseases.
 The big river valley projects also cause water logging
which leads to salinity.
Effects of dam on tribal people:
118

 The greatest social cost of big dam is the widespread

displacement of tribal people.
 Displacement and cultural change affects the tribal people
both mentally and physically.
 Tribal people are ill-treated by the modern society.
 Many of the displaced people were not recognized and
resettled or compensated.
ww  Tribal people and their culture cannot be questioned and

destroyed.
w
 The body conditions of tribal people will not suit with the
.Ea
new areas and hence they will be affected by many
diseases.
syE
ngi
6. (b) Write briefly on the Hydrological cycle. (8marks)
nee
Definition:
rin
The process of evaporation, condensation and
transpiration is called hydrological cycle. g.n
1. Evaporation
et
2. Condensation and precipitation
3. Transpiration and respiration
1. Evaporation:
 Heat energy from the sun constantly causes
evaporation from all the water surfaces.
119

 Oceans, rivers, streams lose water due to

evaporation.
2. Condensation and precipitation:
 Precipitation occurs due to the condensation of
water from a gaseous state in the atmosphere and
falls to earth.
 Once water condenses, it is pulled into the ground
ww by gravity.
w
3. Transpiration and respiration:
.Ea
 Much of the water, plants absorb through their
syE
roots, is lost to the atmosphere from the leaves.
This process is known as transpiration.
ngi
 In both animals and plants, the breakdown of
nee
sugars to produce energy with the liberation of
byproducts carbon dioxide and water.
rin
g.n
et
120

UNIT IV
SOCIAL ISSUES AND THE

ENVIRONMENT
PART-A
1. Define the term sustainable development (or) What is
ww
meant by sustainable
w
development?
.Ea
(TCY A.U. Dec 2008; Dec2009)
(Coim &TNV A.U. Dec 2009)
Sustainable development is defined as, “meeting the needs

syE
of the present without compromising the ability of future
ngi
generations to meet their own needs”.
nee
2. What are the advantages of the rain water harvesting?
rin
(TNV A.U. Dec 2008) ( A.U. May 2008)
g.n
Rain water harvesting is a technique of capturing
and storing of water for future generation.
Advantages:
i) Increasing the availability of water from well
et
ii) Rise in ground water level
iii) Minimizing the soil erosion and flood hazards
iv) Future generation is assured of water
3. What is meant by environmental audit? ( A.U. Dec 2008)

121

 Environmental audit are intended to quantify

environmental performance and environmental position.
 In this way they perform analogous function to financial
audits. It also aims to define what needs to be done to
improve on indications of such performance and position
4. What are landslides? ( A.U. May 2008)
ww The movement of earthy materials like coherent rock,

mud, soil and debris from higher region to lower region due to
w
gravitational pull is called landslides.
.Ea
syE
5. Define the term Tsunami (Coim A.U. Dec 2009)
A Tsunami is large waves that are generated in a water
ngi
body when the sea floor is deformed by seismic activity. This
nee
activity displaces the overlaying water in the ocean.
6. What is ECO Mark? rin

g.n
 Environmentally friendly products are generally
indicated by the symbol is called Eco mark.
et
 It is a certification mark issued by the Bureau of
Indian standard (BIS) to the environmentally
products.
7. What are the various sources of radioactive pollution?
(A.U. Dec 2008)
Natural sources
122

i) The very important natural source is space, which emit

cosmic rays
ii) Soil, rocks, air, water, food, radioactive radon, etc also
contain one or more radioactive substances
Man-made sources
Man made sources are nuclear power plants, x-rays,
nuclear accidents, nuclear bombs,
ww
used.
diagnostics kits, etc., where radioactive substances are
w .Ea
8. What are biomedical wastes?
syE
Biomedical wastes are one type of bio-wastes generated
from health care activities
ngi
(hospitals, nursing homes, health centres, laboratories, research
centres blood bank, etc.,).
nee
They may be solid or liquid in nature.
rin
9. Define the term environmental ethics. g.n
et
“Environmental ethics refers to the issues, principles and
guidelines relating to human interactions with their environment”.
10. List the objectives of “Forest conservation Act”.

(Dec’12)
i) To protect and conserve the forest
ii) To ensure judicious use of forest products.
123

11. List out any four important of environmental protection

act.
i) To protect and improvement of the environment.
ii) To prevent hazards to all living creatures and
property.
iii) To maintain harmonious relationship between
humans and their environment.
ww iv) To lay down procedures and safe guards for the

prevention of accidents which cause pollution and
w .Earemedial measures.
i)
syE
12. List the objectives of watershed management. (Dec’11)
To minimize the risks of floods, droughts and
ngi
landslides.
ii)
iii)
nee
To develop rural areas.
To manage the watershed for developmental
rin
activities like domestic water supply, irrigation,
etc., g.n
iv) To generate employment opportunities.
et
13. Define E-Wastes. (Dec’11)
E-Wastes are defined as “electronic and electrical wastes.

Electronic equipments like computers, printers, mobile phones,
Xerox machines.,etc. After using these instruments , they are
thrown as waste.
124

14. Define urbanization.

(Nov’2010)
Urbanizatisssson is the movement of human
population from rural areas to urban areas for the want of better
health, employment, education, transport, etc.
15. Why are radioactive wastes disposed of in salt water?
ww (May’10)
Salt water would slowly carry the nuclear wastes
w .Ea
downward into the earth’s mantle and also radioactive rays
would not reach the earth surface easily
syEPART-B & C
ngi
1. (a) Discuss about the concepts or approaches for
sustainable development.nee
(8marks)
Definition: r ing
.ne
Sustainable development is defined as, “meeting the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs”. t
True Sustainable Development:
True sustainable development aims at optimum use of
natural resources with high degree of reusability, minimum
wastage, and least generation of toxic by-products and maximum
productivity.
125

Concept/Approaches/Significance for sustainable

development:
To build up the sustainable development, the following
approaches / methods are proposed.
Developing appropriate technology
It is the one, which is locally adaptable, eco-friendly,
resources-efficient and culturally suitable. It uses local labours,
ww
less resources and produces minimum waste.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3-R) Approach:
w It insists optimum us of natural resources, using it again
.Ea
and again instead of throwing it on the waste land or water
syE
and recycling the material into further products.
 It reduces waste generation and pollution.
ngi
Providing environmental education and awareness:
nee
By providing environmental education and awareness, the
rin
thinking and attitude of people towards our earth and the
environment can be changed.
Consumption of renewable resources: g.n
et
In order to attain sustainability, it is very important to
consume the natural resources in such a way that the consumption
should not exceedregeneration capacity.
Conservation of non-renewable resources:

Non-Renewable Resources should be conserved by
recycling and reusing.
126

Population Control:
By controlling population growth, we can make
sustainable development.
1. (b) Discuss in detail about the causes and issues for
resettlement and rehabilitation of people. (8marks)
Resettlement and rehabilitation of people
ww Resettlement and Rehabilitation is one of the most serious

problems caused by the developmental activities.
w .Ea
Causes of displacement of people
syE
1. Due to developmental activities:
 Developmental activities include construction of dams,
ngi
mining, roads, airports, ports; urban expansion etc.,
nee
 These activities cause large scale displacement of local
rin
people from their home and loss of their traditional
profession or occupation.
Dams in India: g.n
 In our country, a number of big and medium dams have
been constructed under different valley projects.
et
Ex: (a)Hirakud Dam (b) Tehri Dam
Other problems
 Submergence of valuable forest cover
 Water logging and its adverse effects
 Possibility of an earthquake
127

2. Due to Disaster:
 Disaster may be of natural of manmade
(a) Natural Disaster: It includes, earthquake, floods,
droughts, landslides, avalanches
(b) Manmade Disaster: It includes, industrial accidents,
nuclear accidents, dam burst
3. Due to conservation initiatives:
ww  These include national park, sanctuary, forest reserve,

biosphere reserve
w .Ea
Resettlement
 Resettlement is simple relocation or displacement of
syE
human population.
 This process does not focus on their future welfare.
Rehabilitation ngi
nee
 Rehabilitation involves making the system to work again
rin
by allowing the systems to function naturally.
 It includes replacing the lost economic assets, safeguard
g.n
employing provide safe land for building, restore social
services, repair damaged infrastructures, etc,.
Rehabilitation issues
et
 In India, most of the displacements have resulted due to
land requirements to the government for various reasons.
Important issues
 Tribals are usually the most affected among the displaced,
who are already very poor.
128

 Displacement further increased their poverty due to loss f

home, land, jobs, food security and social isolation.
 Loss of identity and loss of the intimate link between the
people and the environment is one of the big losses.
Rehabilitation policy
 The extent of damage and suffering that the proposed
project would cause should be studied and ascertained
ww before starting the project.

 The people should be rehabilitated on “minimum
w dislocation basis”, by choosing adjacent areas
.Ea
The advantages of rehabilitation should be on par with
syE
those of the beneficiaries of the proposed project.
ngi
2. (a) Explain in detail about the strategies for water
conservation. (8marks)nee
rin
Definition:
g.n
The process of saving water for future utilization is known
as water conservation.
Need for water conservation:
et
 Over exploitation of ground water leads to drought.
 Better life style requires more fresh water.
 As population increase, the requirement of water is also
more.
 Due to deforestation the rainfall decreasing.
129

 Agricultural & industrial activities require more fresh

water.
Strategies of water conservation:
1. Reducing evaporation losses:
By placing the horizontal barriers of asphalt below the soil
surface, evaporation of water in humid region can be reduced.
2. Reducing irrigation losses:
ww  Sprinkling irrigation and drip irrigation conserves water.

 Irrigation in early morning or later evening reduces
w .Ea
evaporation losses.
3. Re-use of water:
syE
 Treated waste water can be used for ferti-irrigation.
 Grey water from washings may be used for washing cars,
ngi
watering gardens.
nee
4. Preventing wastage of water:
 Closing the taps when not in use. rin
 Repairing any leakage from pipes. g.n
5. Decreasing run-off losses:
et
 By using contour cultivation or terrace farming
the run off on soil can be reduced.
6. Avoid discharge of sewage:
 The discharge of sewage into natural water
resources should be prevented.
130

2. (b) What are the causes needs and methods of waste land
reclamation? (8marks)
Waste land reclamation

Waste land:
The land which is not in use is called waste land. It is
unproductive, unfit for cultivation, grazing & other economic
ww
uses. About 20% of geographical in India is waste land.
Types of waste Land:
w 1. Uncultivable waste lands
.Ea
2. Cultivable waste lands
syE
Uncultivable waste lands:
These lands cannot be brought under cultivation.
ngi
Ex: sandy deserts
Cultivable waste lands:
nee
These are cultivable but not cultivated for more than five
rin
years.Cultivable waste lands are important for agricultural
purposes. g.n
Ex: water logged and marsh lands, saline lands, etc
Causes of waste land formation:
et
 Due to soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, water
logging, salinity.
 The increasing demand for fire-wood.
 Excessive use of pesticides.
 By the sewage & industrial wastes.
131

 Over exploitation of natural resources.

Need of waste land reclamation:
 To improve physical structure and quality of the soil.
 To prevent flooding, erosion and landslides.
 To supply fuel, fodder and timber for local use.
 To conserve the biological resources and natural
ecosystem.
ww  To avoid over exploitation of natural resources.
w
Methods of waste Land Reclamation:
.Ea
1. Drainage:
Excess water is removed by artificial drainage.
syE
This process is used for water-logged soil reclamation.
2. Leaching:
ngi
Leaching is the process of removal of salt from the
nee
salt affected soil by applying excess amount of water. In
rin
continuous leaching 0.5 to 1.0 cm water is required to
remove 90% of soluble salts.
3. Irrigation practices: g.n
et
High frequency irrigation with controlled amount
of water helps to maintain better water availability in the
land.
4. Green-manures and bio-fertilizers:
Application of green manure is found to improve
the saline soils.
132

5. Application of Gypsum:
 Soil solidity can be reduced with gypsum.
 Calcium of gypsum replaces sodium from the
exchangeable sites.
 This process converts clay back into calcium clay.
6. Afforestation Programmes:
The National development board has decided to
ww bring 5 million acres of waste land annually for firewood

and fodder plantation.
w .Ea
7. Social Forestry programmes:
These programmes involve strip plantation on
syE
road, canal –sides, degraded forest land etc.
ngi
3.Explain in detail about the important features and
objectives of environmental legislation laws.
(16marks) nee
rin
1. Water (prevention and control of pollution) ACT 1974:
 This act provides for maintaining and restoring the sources
g.n
of water it also provides for preventing and controlling
water pollution.
Objectives of water act:
et
 Prevention and control of water pollution.
 Maintaining or restoring the wholesomeness of water.
 Establishing central and state boards for the prevention
and control of water pollution.
Important features of water act:
133

 This act aims at, to protect the water from all kinds of
pollution and to preserve the quality of water in all
aquifers.
 The act further provides for the establishment of central
boards and state boards for prevention of water pollution.
 The states are empowered to restrain any person from
discharging a pollutant or sewage or effluent into any
ww water body without the consent of the board.

State pollution control board:
w .Ea
The consent of the state pollution control board is needed to
 Take steps to establish any industry or any treatment and
syE
disposal system or any extension or addition that to, which
ngi
is likely to discharge or trade effluent into a stream or well
or river or on a land.
nee
 Use any new or altered outlet for the discharge of sewage.
rin
 Begin to make any new discharge of sewage.
g.n
2. Air (Prevention and control of Pollution) ACT, 1981:
 This act was enacted in the conference held at Stockholm
in 1972.
 It deals with the problem relating to air pollution.
et
 It envisages the establish of central board and state control
boards endowed with absolute powers to monitor air
quality and pollution control.
Objectives of air act are:
 To prevent, control and abatement of air pollution.
134

 To maintain the quality of air.

 To establish a board for the prevention and control of air
pollution.
Important feature of air act:

 The central board may lay down the standards for the
quality of air.
ww  The central board coordinates and settle distributes

between state boards, in addition to providing technical
w .Ea
assistance and guidance to state boards.
 The state boards are empowered to lay down the standards
syE
for emissions of air pollutants from industrial unit or
ngi
automobile or other sources.
3. Forest (Conservation (Or) Preservative) ACT, 1980:
nee
 This act provides conservation of forests and related
aspects.
rin
 This act also covers all type of forests including forests,
protected forests any forested land. g.n
 This act is enacted in 1980.It aims at to arrest
deforestation.
et
Objectives of forest act:
 To protect and conserve the forest.
 To ensure judicious use of forest products.
Important feature of forest act:
135

 The reserved forests shall not be diverted or dereserved

without the prior permission of the central government.
 The land that has been registered or forestland may not be
used for non forest purposes.
 An illegal non forest activity within a forest area can be
immediately stopped under act.
ww
4. Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, Amended In 1983, 1986
w
AND 1991:
.Ea
 This act is aimed to protect and preserve wildlife.
 Wildlife refers to all animals and plants that are not
syE
domesticated.
ngi
 India has rich wildlife heritage. It has 350 species of
mammals, 1200 species of birds and about 20,000 known
species of insects. nee
rin
 Some of them are listed as endangered species’ in the
wildlife (protection) act.
Objectives of the wildlife act:
g.n
 To maintain essential ecological processes and life
supporting systems.
et
 To preserve biodiversity.
 To ensure the continuous use of species.
Important features:
 The act covers the rights and non rights of forests
dwellers.
136

 It provides restricted grazing in sanctuaries but prohibits in

national parks.
 It also prohibits the collection of non timber products.
5. Environment (Protection) ACT, 1986:
This act empowers the central government to fix the
standards for quality of air, water, soil and noise and to formulate
the procedures and safeguards for handling of hazard substances.
ww
Objectives of environmental act:
 To protect and improvement of environment.
w To prevent hazards to all living creatures and property.
.Ea
 To maintain harmonious relationship between humans and
syE
environment.
ngi
Important features:
 The act further empowers to lay down procedures and
nee
safeguards for the prevention of accidents which cause
rin
pollution and remedial measures if an accident occurs.
 The government has authority to close or prohibit or
g.n
regulate industry or its operation, if the violation of
provisions of the act occurs.
 The penal sections of the act contain more stringent
et
penalties.
 Any person who fails to comply or who contravenes any
provision of the act shall be punishable with imprisonment
for a term extending to 5 years or be punishable with fine
up to rupees 1lakh or both.
137

4. (a) Explain about the types effects and control measures of

nuclear accidents and nuclear Holocaust.
(8marks)
Nuclear Energy:
Energy released during a nuclear reaction is called nuclear
energy. Nuclear reactors produce the nuclear energy either by
nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. The nuclear power is clean and
ww
safe.
Nuclear Energy and Nuclear Accidents:
w The serious hazard to human and environment is the
.Ea
release of large amount of energy and radioactive products into
syE
the atmosphere.
Type of Nuclear Accidents:
ngi
1. Nuclear Test:
nee
Nuclear explosions cause settling down the
radioactive materials on the earth’s surface & radioactive
particles, rays into the atmosphere. rin
2. Nuclear Power Plant Accidents: g.n
et
The nuclear power plant located in the seismic
vulnerable area may cause nuclear accidents.
3. Improper Disposal Of Radioactive Waste:
Drums stored underground can rust and leak
radioactive materials into water, land & air.
4. Accident During Transport:
Trucks carrying radioactive wastes are involved.
5. Core Melt Down:
138

 This is the major accident in nuclear power plant.

Effects of Nuclear Radiation:
 Radiations may break chemical bonds such as DNA in
cells.
 It may be even carried to future generations.
 People begin to suffer from fatigue, vomiting and loss of
hair (radiation level: 100 -250 rads, low dose).
ww  It affects bone marrow, blood cells, natural resistance &
blood to fail clot (radiation level: 400-500 rads, higher
w .Ea
dose).
 It kills the organisms by damaging the tissues of heart,
syE
brain (radiation level: 10,000 rads, very higher dose).
Nuclear Holocaust
ngi
 It means destruction of biodiversity by nuclear
equipment’s& nuclear bombs. nee
rin
 In a holocaust, a large number of living beings are totally
destroyed.
Effects of Nuclear Holocaust: g.n
1. Nuclear winter:
 Nuclear bombardment will cause combustion of wood;
et
plastics etc., large quantity of black soot will be carried to
the stratosphere.
 It will absorb all UV-radiations.
 So cooling will result. Due to this, water evaporation will
reduce.
139

Effect of nuclear winter:

 Even in summer the temperature will be at freezing
temperature.
 Crop productivity will be reduced.
 It ignites all combustible material; destroy all living
beings, material crushing, and destruction of homes.
Examples of Nuclear Holocausts:
ww 1. Nuclear war:
 Hiroshima & Nagasaki are the examples (II- world war).
w .Ea
2. At Chernobyl:
 When water cooling system, graphite moderated reactor
syE
lost their control, the reactor exploded.
ngi
Control measures:
 Precautions must be taken & training must be given to
nee
people who handle these materials.
rin
 Constant monitoring of the radiation level.
 Regular checks & control measures are done by Atomic
g.n
Energy Regulatory Board under the Department of Atomic
Energy. et
4. (b) What are the objectives and the factors affecting
consumerism and waste products? (8marks)
Consumerism and waste products
Consumerism:
140

 Consumerism refers to the consumption of resources by

the people.
 It is an organized movement of citizens & government.
 Consumerism is related to both increase in our demand
due to change in life-style.
Traditionally favorable rights of sellers:
 Right to introduce any product.
ww  Right to charge any prize.
 Right to spend any amount to promote the product.
w .Ea
 Right to use incentives.
Traditional buyer rights:
syE
 Right to buy or not to buy.
ngi
 Right to expect a product to be safe.
 Right to expect the product to perform as claimed.
nee
Important information’s to be known by buyers:
 Ingredients of a product. rin
 Manufacturing date & expiry date.
g.n
 If the product has been manufactured against the law of
nature. et
Objectives of consumerism:
 It improves the rights & powers of the buyers.
 It involves making the manufacturer liable for the entire
life cycle of product.
 It forces the manufacturer to reuse & recycle the product
after usage.
141

 The reusable packing materials like bottles can be taken

back to the manufacturer.
 Active consumerism improves human health & happiness
and also it saves resources.
SOURCES OF WASTES:
 Sources are agriculture, mining, industrial &
municipal wastes.
ww
Examples for waste products:
It includes glass, papers, plastics, metals, automobile
w .Ea
wastes, dead animals, etc.,
E-waste:
syE
Electronic equipment’s like computers, printers, mobile
phones, Xerox machines, calculators, etc.,
ngi
nee
Effects of wastes:
rin
 The waste from chemical industries & from explosives are
dangerous to human life. g.n
 The wastes degrade soil & make unfit for irrigation. et
 E-waste contains 1000 chemicals which cause pollution.
These also cause cancer & other respiratory problems.
 Plastics are difficult to recycle or incinerate safely.
Factors affecting consumerism and generation of wastes:
1. People over-population:
142

 It occurs when there are more people than the available

supply of food & water.
 Over population causes degradation of resources, poverty
& premature death in less developed countries (LDCs).
2. Consumption Over-Population:
 It occurs when there are less people than the available
resources.
ww  If the consumption is more, the generation of waste is also

more.
w .Ea
5. Explain in detail about the methods for water conservation.
(16marks)
syE
ngi
Methods of water conservation
 Rainwater harvesting.
 Watershed management. nee
i) Rainwater Harvesting
rin
g.n
Rainwater harvesting is a technique of capturing and
storing of rainwater for further utilization.
Need for Rainwater Harvesting:
 To meet the increasing demands of water.
et
 To raise the water table by recharging the ground water.
 To reduce the surface runoff loss.
 To reduce storm water runoff and soil erosion.
 To minimize water crisis and water conflicts.
Concept of Rainwater Harvesting:
143

It involves collecting water that falls on the roof of house

during rain storms and conveying it through PVC or Aluminium
pipe to a near covered storage unit. A smoother, cleaner and more
impervious roofing material contributes to better water quality
and greater quantity.
Type of rainwater harvesting
Roof top rainwater harvesting method:
ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
g.n
et
 It is the method of collecting rainwater from roof
of the building and storing it in the ground for our
future use.
 It is the low cost and effective technique for urban
houses.
144

 The rainwater from the top of the roofs, road

surfaces, and play grounds is diverted into the
surface tank or recharge pits through a delivery
system.
Advantages of Rainwater Harvesting:
 Reduction in the use of current for pumping water.
 Increasing the availability of water from well.
ww 

Rise in groundwater levels.
Minimizing the soil erosion and flood hazards.
w 
.Ea
Future generation is assured of water.
ii) Watershed management:
syE
 The management of rainfall and resultant runoff is
ngi
called watershed management.
Factors affecting watershed:

nee
 rin
The watersheds are found to be degraded due to

uncontrolled land use activities.
g.n
et
Overgrazing, deforestation, mining, construction activities
also affect watersheds.
 Droughty climates also affects watershed.
Need for watershed management:
 To minimize the risk of floods, droughts and

landslides.
145

 To develop the rural areas for improving the economy

of the region.
 To protect the soil from erosion by runoff.
 To raise the groundwater level.
 To generate huge employment opportunities in the
backward rain-fed areas.
ww
Watershed management techniques:
w
Trenches (Pits):
.Ea
Trenches were dug at equal intervals to improve groundwater
storage.
syE
Earthern dam or stone embankment:
ngi
To check the run-off water, earthen dam must be constructed
in the catchment area.
Farm Pond: nee
rin
A farm pond can be built to improve water storage capacity of
the catchment area.
Underground barriers (dykes): g.n
Underground barriers should be built along the mullahs to
raise the water table.
et
Maintenance of watershed:
1. Water harvesting:
Proper storage of water in watershed is done and the water
can be used in dry seasons in low rainfall areas.
2. Afforestation and Agroforestry:
146

Afforestation and Agroforestry help to prevent soil erosion

and retention of moisture in watershed areas.
3. Reducing soil erosion:

Terracing, bounding, contour cropping, strip cropping etc.,
are used to minimize soil erosion.
4. Scientific mining and quarrying:
ww Due to improper mining, the stability of the hills get

disturbed resulting in landslides and rapid soil erosion.
w5. Public participation:
.Ea
People must be motivated for protecting a freshly planted
syE
area and maintaining a water harvesting structure,
implemented by the government.
ngi
6. Minimizing livestock population:
nee
Livestock population, present in the surrounding villages
of the watershed should be reduced.
rin
6. (a) What is an earthquake? Write about its effects and
measures to face the earthquake. g.n
(Nov/Dec13)
Definition:
et
Sudden vibration caused on the earth’s surface due
to sudden release of tremendous amount of energy
stored in the rocks under the earth’s crust.
Causes:
 Earthquakes are caused due to disequilibrium in any
part of the earth crust.
 Underground nuclear testing.
147

 Decrease of underground water level.
Richter Scale Severity of earthquake

Less than 4 Insignificant
4-4.9 Minor
5-5.9 Damaging
Effects 6-6.9 Destructive of
ww 7-7.9
More than 8
Major
Great
w
Earthquake:
.Ea
 The shocks produced by earthquakes in hilly and
syE
mountainous area may cause landslides.
ngi
 It also collapses houses and other structures due to poor
nee
construction and the people die in thousands.
 Severe earthquake results in deformation of ground
surface. rin
g.n
 Earthquake travels through sea water generates high sea
et
waves called Tsunami. This causes great loss of life and
property.
Prevention And Control
(i) Constructing earthquake resistant building in the
known earthquake prone zones e.g. wooden houses
are preferred in Japan.
(ii) Installation of earthquake study centers studying
seismic activities and analysis of seismic zones.
148

(iii) There must be insurance policies for earthquake

victims o rehabilitate them.
(iv) Creation of special task forces, fully trained and
equipped, to manage such calamities within shortest
possible time.
b) Define flood? Write about its effects and measures to face
ww
the earthquake.
Definition:
w Whenever the magnitude of water flow exceeds the
.Ea
carrying capacity of the channel
syE
within its banks, the excess of water over flows on the
surroundings causes floods.
Causes: ngi
nee
 Heavy rain, rainfall during cyclone causes flood
 Sudden snow melt also raises the quantity of water in
streams and causes flood. rin
g.n
 Reduction in the carrying capacity of the channels, due to
accumulation of sediments causes floods.
 Sudden and excess release of impounded water behind
et
dams.
 Clearing of forests for agriculture has also increased
severity of floods.
Effects of floods.
 Floods cause heavy suffering to people living in low lying
areas because the houses and properties are washed away.
149

 Floods damage standing crops and livestock.

 Floods cause a great economic loss and health related
problems due to widespread contamination.
Preventive measures:
 Encroachment of flood ways should be banned.
 Building walls prevent spilling out the flood water over
flood plains.
ww  Build check-dams on small streams, move building off the

blood plains.
w
 Restore wetlands, replace ground cover on water-course.
.Ea
 River-networking in the country also reduce flood.
syE
 Optical and microwave data from IRS is also used for
flood management.
ngi
 Flood forecasts and flood warning are also given by the
central water commission.
nee
 Reduction of runoff by increasing infiltration through
appropriate afforestation. rin
g.n
6. Name any three significant biomedical wastes ad their
safe disposal.
et
Bio-medical wastes are one type of biowastes generated
from health care activities (hospitals,nursing homes,health
centres,laboratories,research centres,blood banks,etc)
Steps involved in management of biomedical wastes..

150

1.Generation and Accumulation.

2.Handling and Storage.
3.Transport and Disposal.
Category Type of wastes Treatment/Disposal

Human anatomical Incineration/Deep burial
wastes.
1
Body parts,organs,
ww body tissues.
w 2
.Ea
Animal wastes.
Body parts,bleeding
parts,body fluid.
Incineration/Deep burial
3 syE
Waste sharps
Needle,syringes,blade
Disinfection/microwaing
ngi
Solid wastes Incineration/microwaving
4 Items contaminated
with blood,cotton, nee
Liquid wastes.
rin
Discharged into drains.
5 Laboratory
washing,cleaning g.n
et
7. What is Green chemistry? Explain the various principle of green
chemistry with suitable examples
Principles of Green Principles:
Define: Green chemistry is the chemistry that involves designing and
production of chemicals without polluting the environment.
(1) Prevention of wastes: It is better prevent to waste than to treat
151

(2) Atom economy: Synthetic methods should be designed to

maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process of
formation of final product.
(3) Less hazardous chemical synthesis: Synthetic methods should be
designed to use and generate materials, which posses no toxicity.
(4) Designing safer chemicals: Chemical substances should be
designed to affect their desire functions during minimizing their
ww toxicity.
(5) Safer solvents and auxiliaries: Use of auxiliaries substances should
wbe made unnecessary wherever possible.

.Ea
(6) Design for energy efficiency: Energy recoverments during the
syE
chemical processes should be minimized.
(7) Use of renewable feedstock: Raw material should be renewable
ngi
rather than depleting.
nee
(8) Reduce derivatives: Unnecessary derivatives should be reduced
should be minimized.
rin
(9) Catalysis: Catalytic reagents are superior to stoichiometric agents.
(10)
g.n
Design for degradation: Chemicals should be designed as
degradation easily to avoid
(11)
harmful effects. et
Real time analysis for pollution prevention: Analytical methods
should be
continuously monitoring for control prior the pollution.
(12) Substances for Safer chemistry to accident prevention:
Substances should be carefully
selected to avoid accidents when reactions carried out.
152

Unit V
Human Population and Environment
PART-A
1. What is population explosion? (TCY A.U. Dec

2008, Dec 2009) ( A.U. Dec 2009)
The enormous increase in population, due to low death
ww
rate and high birth rate, is termed as population explosion. The
human population explosion is not increasing at a uniform rate all
w .Ea
over the world.
syE
2. Define doubling time with reference to population growth.
ngi ( A.U. Dec 2008)

It is the time required for a population to the double its
nee
size at a constant annual rate. It is calculated as follows
Td (Doubling time) =70/r
rate rin
Where, r= annual growth
g.n
If a nation has 2% annual growth, its population will double in
next 35 yrs. et
3. Mention some ill effects of HIV/AIDS on the environment.
( A.U. Dec 2008)
i) Large number of death occurs, which affect
environment and natural resources
153

ii) Due to large number of death, there is loss of labour

and level of production decreases
iii) More water is required for maintaining hygiene in
AIDS affected locality.
iv) The people affected by HIV cannot perform work well
due to lack of energy and frequent fever and sweating.
ww
4. State the role of Information technology in Environment.
(Coim A.U. Dec 2009) ( A.U. Jan 2006)
w Information technology plays a vital role in the field of
.Ea
environmental education. Information technology means
syE
collection, processing storage and dissemination of the
information. A number of software have been developed so study
ngi
about the environment.
nee
rin
5. What are the reasons behind the increased population
growth in the less developed nations compared with developed
nations. g.n
( A.U. Dec 2007)
et
i) The rapid population growth is due to less death rates.
ii) The availability of the antibiotics, immunization, and
increased food production leads to population growth.
6. What are the objectives of family welfare programme?

(TNV A.U. Dec 2009)
i) Slowing down the population explosion by reducing
fertility.
154

ii) Pressure on the environment, due to over exploitation

of natural resources is reduced
7. Write the importance of value education

(TCY A.U. Dec 2009)
i) To improve the integral growth of human being.
ii) To create attitude and improvement towards sustainable
ww
lifestyle
iii) To increase the awareness about our national history,
w
culture, rights, national
.Eaintegration, community development and environment.
syE
iv) To create and develop awareness about the values and
their significance and role.
ngi
nee
8. What are the objectives of environmental impact
assessment (EIA)
rin
(Coim A.U. Dec 2009) g.n
et
EIA is a formal process of predicting the environmental
consequences of any developmental projects. It is used to identify
the environmental, social and economic impacts of the project
prior decision making.
Objectives
i) To identify the main issues and problem of the
parties
ii) To identify who is the party
155

iii) To identify what are the problems of the parties

iv) To identify why are the problems arise.
9. What is meant by remote sensing? (Dec’10)

 It refers to any method, which can be used to gather
information about an object actually coming in contact
with it.
ww  It is used to denote identification of earth feature by

detecting the characteristics electromagnetic radiation
w that is reflected (or) emitted by the earth.
.Ea
10. Define immigration and emigration. (Dec’ 09)
syE
Immigration: It denotes the arrival of individuals from
ngi
neighboring population.
nee
Emigration: It denotes the dispersal of individuals from
the original population to new
rin areas.
11. What is meant by NIMBY syndrome? g.n

NIMBY means Not In My Back Yard, which describes the et
opposition of residents to the nearby location of something they
consider undesirable.
Eg: An airport is a example of NIMBY syndrome.
12. What is human development index? (Nov 2011)
156

It is a comparative measure of life expectancy, literacy,

education and standards of living for countries worldwide. It
is used to distinguish whether the country is a developed, a
developed country.
13. What do you mean by Total fertility rate, Zero population

growth?
 Total fertility rate is defined as the average number of
ww children that would be born to a woman in her lifetime if
w

the age specific birth rates remain constant.
.Ea
When birth plus immigration in a population are just equal
syE
to deaths plus emigration, it is said to be Zero population
growth.
ng&iC
PART-B
nee
1. What are the major role of IT in environment and Human
health? (16marks)
rin
Role of Information Technology in Environment g.n
et
The internet facilities, information through satellites,
world wide web provide us up-to-date information on various
aspects of environment and weather.
Software’s for Environment Education:
1) Remote Sensing:
157

 Remote sensing refers to any method which can

be used to gather information about an object
without actually coming in contact with it.
 At present the term remote sensing is used more
commonly to denote identification of earth
feature.
Applications:
ww i) In agriculture:
Remote sensing can provide valuable information
w
for land & water management.
.Ea
ii) In forest:
syEIt gives information about type, density & extends
of forest cover.
ngi
iii) In land cover:
nee
Data is converted to map the special resolution
plays a role on the scale of
mapping. rin
iv) Water resources: g.n
water targeting, wetland, and flood
et
It’s used in surface water body mapping, ground
monitoring.
2) Data Base:
Data base is the collection of interrelated data on
various subjects.
Data base is arranged in a systematic manner that is
easily manageable.
158

Applications:
i) Ministry of environment & forest
ii) National management Information system
iii) Environmental Information system
3) Geographical Information System:
GIS is a technique of superimposing various thematic
maps using digital data on a large number of
ww interrelated aspects.
Applications:
w
i) Different thematic maps containing digital information are
.Ea
superimposed on a layered form.
syE
ii) Interpretation of polluted zones.
iii) Use to check unplanned growth.
ngi
nee
4) Satellite Data:
rin
 sIt helps in providing correct & reliable information about
forest cover. g.n
 It provides information about monsoon, ozone layer
depletion.
et
 Many new reserves of oil, minerals can be discovered.
5) World wide web:
More current data is available on World Wide Web.
Application:
159

 Provide information on principles, problems, application

of environmental science.
 It has digital photos, power- point lecture presentation,
animations.
Role of information technology in human health
Introduction:
 It plays a key role in human health.
ww  Health service technology involves three systems.

1. Finance & accounting
w .Ea 2. Pathology
3. Patient Administration: clinical system.
Application: syE
ngi
i) The data regarding birth & death rates, immunization and
sanitation programme are maintained more accurately.
nee
ii) It monitors the health of the people.
rin
iii) Information regarding the outbreak of epidemic diseases
can be conveyed.
g.n
iv) With a central control system the hospital can run
effectively.
2. Discuss in detail about Women welfare and Child welfare?
et
(16marks)
Women Welfare:
160

The main aim of women welfare is to improve the status

of the women by providing opportunities in education,
employment and economic independence.
Need of women welfare:
i) Generally women face the following problems in the
society.
ii) So there is an urgent need for policy reforms and more
ww stringent legislation and education.

iii) Women suffer gender discrimination and devaluation at
w home, at workplace, in matrimony etc.,
.Ea
iv) High number of cases of dowry deaths, rape, criminal
syE
offences.
v) The human rights of women are violated, in the male
ngi
dominated society.
nee
vi) In policy making and decision making process, women are
neglected.
Objectives of women welfare: rin
g.n
To overcome the above problem the following objectives
are needed.
ii) To provide education.
et
iii) To impart vocational training.
iv) To generate awareness about the
environment.
v) To improve the employment opportunities.
vi) To aware problems of population.
161

vii) To restore the dignity, status, equality and

respect for women.
Objectives of a National commission for women:
 To examine constitutional and legal rights for women.
 To review existing legislations.
 To sensitize the enforcement and administrative
machinery to women’s cases.
ww
Environmental Degradation and Women Welfare:
 The developmental work not only affects the natural
w .Ea
environment but also affects the traditional, cultural
and family life of women.
syE
Measures (or) various schemes and organization towards
women welfare:
ngi
1. The national network for women and mining (NNWM):
nee
 It is fighting for a “gender audit” of India’s mining
companies.
rin
2. United Nations Decade for women:
g.n
 It witnessed inclusion of several women welfare
related issues on international agenda. et
3. International Convention on the Elimination of All forms
of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW):
 It has created an international standard for the
protection and promotion of women.
4. Non-Government Organization (NGO’S) as Mahila
Mandals:
162

 It creates awareness among women of remote

villages to empower them, train then, educate them
and help them to become economically self-
dependent.
5. Ministry for women and child development:
 It aims to work for the upliftment of women by
family planning, health care, education and
ww
Child Welfare:
awareness.
w  Children occupy nearly 40% of total population.

.Ea
 They are considered to be the assets of a society.
syE
Reason for child labours:
1. Poverty:
ngi
 Poverty is the main reason to force these children
nee
to work in unhealthy conditions.
2. Want of money:
rin
 Parents require money for their family, so they are
g.n
in position to send their children for work.
Measures (Or) Various schemes and organization towards
child welfare:
et
1. UN Conventions on Rights of Child (or) International
Law:
 It formulated a set of international standards and
measures to promote and protect the well being of
children in our society.
163

Rights of the child:

 The right to survival
 The right to participation
 The right to development
 The right to protection
2. World summit on children:
ww  It had focused agenda for well being of the
children targeted to be achieved in the beginning of
w .Ea the new millennium.
2. Ministry of human resource development (MHRD):
syE
 It concentrated on child’s health, education,
ngi
nutrition, etc.,
Environmental degradaion and child welfare:
nee
 Children are most affected due to environmental pollution.
rin
 Water borne diseases are the biggest threat to children.
g.n
 Around 6 million children are affected be these diseases in
India.
Center for Science and Environment (CSE): et
 Its scientific report says, ‘children consume more water,
food and air than adults, and hence more susceptible to an
environmental contamination’.
3. (a) Explain in detail about Human rights? (8marks)

164

HUMAN RIGHTS
1. Human right to freedom
2. Human right to property
3. Human right to freedom of religion
4. Human right to culture and education
5. Human right to constitutional remedies
6. Human right to equality
ww 7. Human right against exploitation

8. Human right to food and environment
w 9. Human right to good health.
.Ea
1. Human rights to freedom
syE
 Every citizen has the freedom to express his views
freely.
ngi
 Citizens can assemble at any place to express their
views. nee
 They have freedom to form unions or associations.
rin
 They have freedom to build their houses wherever
they like. g.n
 They have full right to start any profession.
2. Human right to property
et
 Every human beings has the right to earn
property.
3. Human right to freedom of religion
 Every citizen has the freedom to choose their
religion according to his wishes.
165

 All religions are equal before the law.

4. Human right to culture and education
 All the citizens have equal rights both in culture
and education.
 The minority communities like Christians,
Muslims have their own rights to conserve the
culture, language, and to establish educational
ww
5.
institutions of their own choice.
Human right to constitutional remedies
w  If a citizen is denied any of these fundamental
.Ea rights, he or she can go to the court for protection.
syE
 The court has the power to protect the basic rights
6. ngi
of the citizens.
Human right to equality
nee
 All citizens are equal before the law.
rin
 There is no any discrimination on grounds of
g.n
religion, caste, sex (or) place of birth.
 All are given equal opportunity for employment.
7. Human right against exploitation
 Children should not be employed as labours.
et
 Every citizen has the right to fight against
exploitation.
8. Human right to food and environment
All human beings have the right to get sufficient healthy
food, safe drinking water and healthy environment
166

9. Human right to good health

All human beings have the right to have very good
physical and mental health.
3. (b) Explain the importance and methods of imparting value

education? (8marks)
VALUE EDUCATION
ww
Education
It is nothing but learning about the particular thing through
w
knowledge. We can identify our values and ourselves with the
.Ea
help of knowledge and experience.
Types
syE
i) Formal education-Self related learning process.
ngi
ii) Value education – Analyze based on instruments.
nee
iii) Value-based environment education- Based on
environment.
Objectives rin
g.n
 To improve the integral growth of human begins.
 To create attitudes and improvement towards
sustainable lifestyle.
et
 To increase awareness about our national history
our cultural heritage, constitutional rights, national
integration, community develo9pment and
environment.
167

 To create and develop awareness about the values

and their significance and role.
 To know about various living and non- living
organisms and their interaction with environment.
Types of values
 Universal values-Importance of the human
conditions.
ww  Cultural values-Right, wrong, good and bad.

 Individual values-Individual personality and
w .Ea experiences.
 Global values-Human civilization.
syE
 Spiritual values-Self-restraint, discipline.
ngi
Methods of imparting value education:
Telling: nee
rin
 It is a process of developing values to enable a pupil to
g.n
have a clear picture of a value- laten situation by means of
his own narration of the situation.
Modeling: et
 It is a method in which a certain individual perceived as
ideal values is presented to the learners as a model.
Role playing:
 Acting out the true feelings of the actor/actors by taking
the role of another person but without the risk of reprisals.
168

Problem solving:
 It is a method wherein a dilemma is presented to the
learners asking them what decisions they are going to take.
Studying biographies of great man:

 This method makes use of the lives of the great man as the
ww subject matter for trying to elicit their good deeds and

thoughts worthy for emulation.
w .Ea
4. (a) Write the origin, mode of transmission, symptoms and
control measure of AIDS? (10marks)
HIV /AIDS syE
AIDS is the abbreviated form for Acquired Immuno
ngi
Deficiency Syndrome caused by a virus called HIV (Human
Immune deficiency Virus). nee
Origin of HIV/AIDS
1. Through African Monkey rin
g.n
 African monkey or Chimpanzees To human.
2. Through Vaccine Programme
 Polio, small pox vaccine from monkey’s
et
kidney-Africa.
 Hepatitis-B viral vaccine-Los Angles and New
York.
Factors influencing modes of Transmission of HIV
 Unprotected sex with infected person.
169

 Using needles or syringes from HIV positive person.

 During pregnancy, breast feeding HIV transmits from
mother to infant babies.
 Blood transfusion during accident and pregnancy.
 Biologically the male to female transmission is 2 to 4 time
more efficient than female to male transmission.
 Women’s cervical tissue is more vulnerable to HIV than
ww men.
w
The most common methods of transmission of HIV:
.Ea
 Unprotected sex with an infected partner
 Sharing needles with infected person
syE
Almost eliminated as risk factors for HIV transmission:
ngi
 Transmission from infected mother to fetus
 Infection from blood products
nee
Factors not influencing transmission of HIV
rin
 Tears, food, air, cough, handshake and normal kissing.
 Mosquito flies and insect bites.
g.n
 Sharing of utensils, clothes, toilets and bathroom.
Effects et
 Death
 Loss of labor
 Inability to work
 Lack of energy.
Functions of HIV in human body
170

 White blood cells (WBC) are responsible for the formation

of antibodies called T-helper cells’-helper cells are the key
infection fighters in the immune system.
 Once HIV cells are enter into the body they destroy the T-
cells and cause many diseases.
Symptoms
I. Minor symptoms
ww  Persistent cough for more than one month.

 General skin disease.
w  Viral infection.
.Ea
 Fungus infection in mouth and throat.
syE
 Frequent fever, headache and fatigue.
II.
ngi
Major symptoms
 Diarrhea for more than one month.
nee
 TB for more than one month.
 Fall of hairs.
rin
g.n
 10% of body weight loss within short period.
Control and Preventive measures
 Education. et
 Prevention of Blood borne HIV transmission.
 Primary health care.
 Counseling services.
 Drug treatment.
Scenario in India
171

 Large number of cases has been reported in

Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
World Scenario
 Nearly 90% of the HIV affected peoples live in
developing countries.
 13% of world’s population lives in Africa.
 About 3 million people so far died due to HIV
ww in 2003.
 In the world AIDS ranking India is in 2nd place.
w .Ea
syE
ngi
4. (b) Explain the methods of family planning?
Methods of Family Planning
(6marks)
Traditional method: nee

rin
 It includes some traditions like taboos and folk
medicine.
Modern method- Permanent method g.n
 It is done by minor surgery
Tubectomy:
et
 It is female sterilization done by tying the tubes
that carry the ovum to the uterus.
Vasectomy
 It is male sterilization done by tying the tubes that
carry the sperm.
172

Temporary method
(a) Condoms
 Condoms are used by males to prevent sperms
(b) Copper Ts
 Copper Ts are small objects and can be placed by a
doctor in the uterus so that the ovum cannot be
implanted, even if fertilized.
ww (c) Oral contraceptive pills and inject able drugs are available
that prevent the sperms from
w fertilization.
.Ea
syE
5. (a) Discuss variation of population based on age structure?
(8marks)
ngi
Age structure of population can be classified in to three
classes.
(i)
nee
Pre- productive population (0-14 years)
(ii) rin
Reproductive population (15- 44 years)
g.n
(iii) Post reproductive population (above 45 years)
Pyramid shaped variation of population: (increase)
et
173

ww
w .Ea
syE
 The above figure shows that the pre – productive age
ngi
group populations ( 0 -14 years) is more indicated at the
base of pyramid, and post productive age group population
nee
(above 45 years) is less, indicated at the top of pyramid.
rin
 The large number of age people will soon enter into
g.n
reproductive age group population ( 15- 44 years) which
increases population growth.
Bell shaped variation of population (Stable)

et
Example: USA, UK, Canada, etc.
174

ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
rin
 The above figure shows that the pre – productive age
g.n
group population ( 0 -14 years ) and reproductive age
group population ( 15- 44 years) are more or less equal.
 So the people entering into the reproductive age group
will not change the population and thus the population
et
growth is stable.
Urn shaped variation of population (decrease)

Example: Germany, Italy, Sweden, Japan. Etc.
175

ww
w .Ea
syE
ngi
nee
 The figure shows that the pre – productive age group
population ( 0 – 14 years) is smaller than the reproductive
age group population (15 – 44 years). rin
g.n
 In the next 10 years, the number of people in the
et
reproductive age group is less than the before, resulting in
a decrease of population growth.
5. (b) Discuss briefly the factors that affect human population

growth rate (or) Population
explosion? (8marks)
Introduction:
176

The rapid growth of the global’s population for the past

100 years results from the difference between the rate of birth and
death. In 1980, the global population was about 1 billion people.
It took about 130 years (in 1936) to reach 2 billion.
Causes:
 The rapid population growth is due to decrease in death
rate and increase in birth rate.
ww  The availability of antibiotics, immunisation, increased

food production, clean water and air decreases the famine
w – related deaths and infant mortality.
.Ea
 In agricultural based countries, children’s are required to
syE
help parents in the fields that is why population increases
ngi
in the developing countries.
Characteristics of population growth
i. Exponential growth: nee
10 ,10 ,104
2 3 rin
Population growth occurs exponentially like , 10,
ii. Doubling time: g.n

size at a constant annual rate.
et
It is the time required for a population to double its
It is calculated as
follows
Td(Doubling time) = 70/r
Where r= annual growth rate
iii. Infant mortality rate:
177

It is the percentage of infants died out of those

born in one year.
iv. Total fertility rates (TFR)
It is the average number of children delivered by
women in her life time.TFR
value varies from 2 in developed countries to 4.7 in
developing countries.
ww v. Replacement level:
Two parents bearing two children will be replaced
w
by their off spring. Due to
.Ea
infant mortality this replacement level is changed.
syE
vi. Male – Female ratio:
The ratio of girls and boys should be fairly
ngi
balanced in a society to flourish.
vii. Demographic transition:
nee
Population growth is related to economic
development. The dead rate and birth rin
g.n
rates fall due to improved living conditions. This result
in low population growth.
et
Effects:
 Increasing demands for food and natural resources.
 Inadequate housing and health services.
 Loss of agricultural lands.
 Unemployment and socio-political unrest.
178

 Environmental pollution.
6. Explain the Environment and human health relation

Environment and Human Health
Health: According to world health organisation (WHO) health is
a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not
ww
merely the absence of diseases or infirmity.
w
Environment and public health issues are
.Ea
i) Infectious Diseases
syE
ii) Disposal of Chemicals
iii) Pesticide and heavy metal contamination
ngi
iv) Occupational hazards
vi) Radiation nee
vii) Food
rin
viii) Settlement
g.n
i) Infectious diseases et
Unhygienic conditions of environment forms the breeding
grounds for various deadly diseases causing organism like virus,
bacteria, vectors etc. They pose greater threats to health, more
179

severely in the developing countries. Infectious organism cause

food poisoning, respiratory diseases and gastrointestinal diseases.
• Water-borne(Polluted water): Cholera, Dysentery,
Amoebiosis, Hepatitis
• Air-borne(Polluted air): Asthma, Bronchitis, Pneumonia,
Tuberculosis
ww
• Food-borne(Food-poisoning): Cholera, Dysentery
• Vector-borne: Malaria, Typhoid, Filaria
w .Ea
• Animal-borne: Plague
syE
ii) Disposed Chemicals
ngi
A large number of chemicals are introduced in the
environment by anthropogenic activities Chemical can be divided
into two categories nee
rin
Hazardous: Any substance or preparation which by its physico-
g.n
chemical properties or handling is liable to cause harm to human
beings, other living organisms, property or environment. Eg: et
explosives and inflammable chemicals
Toxic Chemicals(Toxins): Poisonous chemicals which kill cells
and can serious health concerns including death. These substances
180

can have pronounced impact on physic-chemical activities if it is

present beyond threshold/permissible limit.
Carcinogenic: Cause cancer Eg: aromatic hydrocarbons like
benzene, various amines etc
Mutagenic: affect genetic material (DNA) in cells Eg: Polycyclic
aromatic hydrocarbon, benzene, sodium azide.
ww
Teratogenic/Embryotoxins: Cause abnormalities during
w .Ea
embryonic growth and development. Eg: various pesticides,
heavy metals etc
syE
Neurotoxins: Affect nervous system Eg: Lead
ngi
iii) Pesticide and heavy metal contamination:
nee
rin
Some of the pesticides and other pollutants may act as inhibit
g.n
hormones in humans and other species and affect reproduction,
development and various ailments including tumors.
Many chemical like DDT and other chlorinated pesticides
et
accumulate in food chain and show deleterious effect at the top of
the food chain. Heavy metals, arsenic, chromium, lead, mercury
affect human health.
iv) Occupational Hazards
181

Workers in various factories, mines, construction of dams,

buildings, commercial forms, forestry and agriculture are exposed
to risks, especially health hazards Dust: Lung diseases
Silicosis: Dust contaminating free silica or silicon dioxide-
reduces life expectancy.
Asbestosis: Finest fibres of asbestos find access to respiratory
ww
tract leading to respiratory problems
w
v) Noise
.Ea
Sound levels beyond the permissible level of human ear
may damage ears.syE
ngi
Elevated workplace or other noise can cause hearing impairment,
nee
hypertension, heart diseases etc. It can affect pregnant mothers
and their foetus. rin
vi) Radiation g.n
Cosmic and ultraviolet rays cause harmful effects on
human health which may include cancer.
et
vii) Diet
Contamination of food can cause indigestion, food
poisoning and other various ill effects. Undernutrition or
malnutrition makes humans prone to other diseases.
182

viii) Settlement
Improper settlement and poor physical environment may
cause various psychological problems which affect various vital
physiological processes in the body.
6.b. What do you mean by environmental impact analysis?
What are the methods followed for EIA?
ww EIA is defined as a formal process of predicting the
w .Ea
environmental consequences of any development projects. It is
used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts
syE
of the project prior to decision making.
ngi
Process of EIA: The key elements used in the process of EIA are
1. Scoping nee
2. Screening
rin
3. Identifying and evaluating alternatives
g.n
4. Mitigating measures dealing with uncertainity
5. Issuing environmental statements
1. Scoping
et
It is used to identify the key issues of the concern in the
planning process at an early stage. It is also used to aid site
selection and identify any possible alternatives.
2. Screening
183

It is used to decide whether an EIA is required or not

based on the information collected.
3. Identifying and evaluating alternatives
It involves knowing alternatives sites and alternative techniques
and their impacts.
4. Mitigating measures dealing with uncertainty
ww It reviews the action taken to prevent or minimize the
w .Ea
adverse effects of project.
5. Issuing environmental statements
syE
This is the final stage of the EIA process. It reports the
ngi
findings of the EIA.
nee
rin
g.n
et
184

ANNA UNIVERSITY QUESTIONS

B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014
Third Semester
GE6351-ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND
ww ENGINEERING
w .Ea
Time: Three Hours
(REGULATION 2013)
syE
Maximum: 100 Marks
ngi Answer all questions
nee
PART – A (10*2=20 Marks)
1.
2.
What is an Abiotic Environment?
What are called endangered species? rin
3. Mention the effects of ozone on plants. g.n
4.
5.
List the sources of Marine pollution.
What are the renewable resources? et
6. Define the term landslide.
7. What is rain water harvesting?
8. What are the objectives of Water Act?
9. Define the term Nuclear Energy?
10. What are the sources of HIV infection?
185

PART – B (5*16=80 Marks)

11. a) i) Define Ecosystem. Give an account of structure and
functions of grassland Ecosystem. (P-15) (8)
ii) What is biodiversity? Discuss the values and
significance of biodiversity. (P-11) (8)
ww
b) i) With a neat sketch discuss the Nitrogen Cycle. (8) (P-06)
w
ii) What do you meant by conservation of biodiversity? State and
.Ea
explain the basic approaches of wild life conservation. (P-22)
syE (8)
12. a) i) Discuss the various chemical and photochemical
ngi
reactions in the atmosphere. (8)
pollution. nee
ii) Explain the sources, effects and control measures of noise
(P-43) (8)
(or) rin
g.n
c) i) Write informative notes on water treatment processes. (P-
36)
pollution. (P-85)
et
d) ii) Describe the role of an individual in the prevention of
(8+8)
13. a) i) Discuss the causes and effects of deforestation. (8) (P-

67)
ii) What is land degradation? Discuss the factor responsible for
land degradation. (P-89) (8)
186

OR
b) i) What are the changes caused by agriculture and overgrazing?
(8)
ii) Discuss the production of biogas. Mention its uses. (P-79)
14. a) i) What are the objectives of water conservation? How is it

carried out? (P-103) (8)
ww ii) What is an earth quake? Enumerates its effects. What

measures should be taken to mitigate this disaster? (P-120)
w .Ea (or)
b) i) Discuss the resettlement and rehabilitation of people, its
syE
problems and concerns. (P-150 (8)
ii) Briefly discuss to salient features of wildlife protection
act ngi (P-109) (8)
nee
15. a) i) Discuss the variations of population among nations.
(P-142) rin (8)
g.n
ii) Write the methods and strategies of imparting value
education. (P-136)
(or)
(8)
et
b) i) Write explanatory notes on women and child welfare.
(P-130) (8)
ii) Explain the role of information technology in
environment and human health. (P-127) (8)
187

B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, APRIL/MAY

2015
Third Semester
ENGINEERING
ww (REGULATION 2013)
w
Time: Three Hours
.Ea
Maximum: 100 Marks
syE Answer all questions
ngi
1. What are food chains?
2. Define biodiversity. nee
3. What do you mean by noise pollution?
rin
4. What is acid rain?
g.n
5. What are renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
6. What is desertification?
7. What is consumerism?
et
8. What do you mean by disaster management?
9. Define population explosion.
10. List out the advantages of family welfare programmes?
188


11. a) i) Describe the types, characteristicfeautures, structure and
functions of an aquatic ecosystem (P-8) (8)
ii) What are the major causes of man wild life conflicts? Discuss the
remedial steps that can affect the conflict. (P-10) (8)
(or)
b) i)Explain the following:
ww 1) Ecological succession (P-20)
w
ii)
2) Ecological Pyramid.
.Ea
(8)
Explain the major factors that are responsible for the loss of
biodiversity. (P-11) (8)
syE
12. a) i) Explain the causes, effects and control measure of air
pollution.
ngi (P-31) (8)
ii) Explain the control and preventive measures of municipal solid
wastes nee (P-53) (8)
(or)
rin
(P-47) g.n
b) i) Write briefly about the hazards caused by the nuclear wastes.
(8)
(P-15) (8)
et
ii) Explain in detail the role of an individual in pollution prevention.
13. a) i) What are the effects of deforestation? Is deforestation

justified ? Comment. (P-67) (8)
ii) Discuss the impact of mining on environment and human health.
(P-69) (8)
(or)
189

b) i) i)Explain the following:

1) Food resources
2) Mineral resources (P-69) (8)
ii) With the help of a neat diagram explain the production of bio-
gas. (P-79) (8)
14.a) i) Explain the effects of nuclear accidents with two case studies
ww (P-140) (8)
ii) Discuss various measures for waste land reclamation. (P-104)
(8)w .Ea (or)
syE
b) i) What is rain water harvesting? What are the purpose for it (8)
(P-115)
ngi
ii) Name the laws that have been framed for environmental
nee
protection and mention the objectives for each act. (P-106) (8)
rin
15.a) i) What is AIDS? What are the sources and mode of
transmission of HIV infection? g.n
(P-138) (8)
same can be achieved? (P-136)

et
ii)What are the objectives and elements of value education? How the
(8)
(or)
b) i) Write notes on
1) Human rights (P-134)
2) Women and Child welfare (P-130) (8)
ii) Discuss the role of information technology in environment and
human health case studies. (P-127) (8)
190

B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION,

Third Semester
ENGINEERING
w
Time: Three Hours
.EaMaximum: 100 Marks
ngi
1.
2.
Define biodiversity.
What is food chain? nee
3. Define noise pollution.
rin
4.
5. g.n
What is the role of individual in pollution prevention?
What are renewable and non-renewable energy resources?
6.
7.
What do you meant by land degradation?
List out the advantages of rain water harvesting.
et
8. \Define consumerism.
9. State the role of information technology in Environment.
10. Define population explosion.
191


11. a) i) Describe the types, characteristic features, structure
and functions of
1) Forest Ecosystem (P-13)
2) Aquatic Ecosystem (P-8) (8)
ii) Explain the following:
1) Ecological Succession (P-20)
ww 2) Ecological Pyramids (8)
w .Ea
(or)
b) i) What are the major causes of man-wild conflicts?
(P-10)
syE
Discuss the remedial steps that can curb the conflict. (8)
ngi
ii) Explain briefly the energy flow through ecosystem.
(P-5) (8)
nee
12. a) i) Explain the causes, effects and control measure of
water pollution. (P-36)
rin (8)
(P-31) g.n
ii) Explain the various methods of controlling air pollution.
(8)
(or)
b) i) Write a note on:
et
1) Nuclear Hazards (P-48)
2) Thermal pollution. (P-49) (8)
ii) What is marine pollution? Explain the ill effects of
marine pollution with the help of a case study. (P-56) (8)
192

13. a) i) Discuss the impact of mining on environment and

human health. (P-69) (8)
ii) What are the effects of deforestation? Is deforestation
justified? Comment. (P-67) (8)
(or)
b) i) Explain the merits and demerits of dam. (P-92) (8)
ii) Write informative notes on modern agriculture.
ww (P-73) (8)
14. a) i) Name the laws that have been framed for
w environmental protection and mention the objectives of
.Ea
each act. (P-106) (8)
syE
ii) Discuss various measures for wasteland reclamation
(P-104) (8)
ngi (or)
b) i) Write a note on:
1) Earthquake
nee(P-120)
2) Cyclone rin (8)
g.n
ii) Explain in detail, how biomedical wastes are managed
and handled. (P-127) (8)
et
15. a) i) What is AIDS? What are the sources and mode of
transmission of HIV infection? (P-138) (8)
ii) Write a note on the following:
1) Women and child welfare in India. (P-130)
2) Human rights. (P-130) (8)
(or)
193

b) i) What are the objectives and elements of value

education? How can the same be achieved? (P-136)(8)
ii) Population explosion affects the environment seriously.
Discuss. (8)
B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, MAY/JUNE

ww 2016
w .Ea Third Semester
syE
ENGINEERING
ngi
Time: Three Hours
(REGULATION 2013)
nee
rin
Maximum: 100 Marks
Answer all questions g.n
PART – A (10*2=20 Marks) et
1. Give any two examples of physical hazards.
2. Mention two primary and secondary consumers in grassland
ecosystem.
3. What is PAN? Give its detrimental effect.
4. What are the causes of thermal pollution?
194

5. Mention any two environmental effects of mining of mineral

resources.
6. What are the reasons for land degradation?
7. Explain the term sustainability briefly
8. State any two biomedical waste handling rules.
9. Mention any two family welfare programs adopted in India.
10. What do you understand by population explosion?
ww PART – B (5*16=80 Marks)

11.
w a) i) What is an ecosystem? What are its components?
.Ea
Explain the functions of each component with examples. (P-13)
(8)
syE
ii) Explain the factors that give threat to biodiversity. (P-9) (8)
ngi (or)
b) i) How is biodiversity conserved in India? (P-22) (4)
nee
ii) Explain oxygen and nitrogen cycle briefly with diagrams. (P-5)
rin (12)
12.
g.n
a) i) Write an elaborate note on chemical and photochemical
reactions in the atmosphere. (10)
et
ii) What are the causes and effects of marine pollution? (P-56)
(or)
b) i) What are the methods adopted for the control of air pollutants?
Explain each briefly. (P-31) (8)
ii) How are the water classified? Give examples of each type. (8)
13. a) i) How is biogas produced? What are its advantages?
(P-79)
195

ii) What are the causes of modern agriculture? (P-73) (8+8)

(or)
b) i) What are renewable and non-renewable energy resources? Why
are non-renewable energy resources preferred for energy utilization
now-a-days? What are advantages and disadvantages of harnessing
non-renewable energy resources? (P-75) (10)
ii) Explain bio conversion of pollutants with examples. (P-79)
ww
14. a) i) Discuss the recent approaches to achieve sustainable
w development.
.Ea (P-99) (8)
ii) What is green chemistry and what are its principles? (8)
syE (or)
b) i) Discuss the various applications of green chemistry for
ngi
achieving sustainable development. (P-99) (8)
15.
nee
ii) Explain salient features of Water Act (P-106) (8)
a) i) What are sparsely populated areas? Give examples and
rin
reasons for poor populations in those areas. (P-142) (8)
g.n
ii) What is HIV? How is it caused? What are the preventive
measures suggested? (P-138)
(or)
et
(8)
b) i) Explain a note on EIA. (8)

ii) Discuss women and child welfare programs practiced in India.
What are the hurdles encountered? (P-130) (8)
196

B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION,

Third Semester
ENGINEERING
w
Time: Three Hours
.EaMaximum: 100 Marks
ngi
nee
1. Define Ecosystem diversity.(P-15)
2. Write about any two chemical hazards present in the
environment.(P-16)
rin
g.n
3. Mention to measures to control thermal pollution caused by
industries..(P-44)
et
4. List any four water quality parameters and their importance(P-
46)
5. What is bio gas? Mention it uses(P-83)
6. Define Sustainable life styles(P-84)
7. Write any four principles of green chemistry(P-114)
8. What is consumerism? How does it affect the environment(P-
116)
9. Define EIA and its Benefits (P-144)
197

10. What are the objectives of women welfare systems?(P-147)

11a) i) Describe the Function of an Ecosystem using Energy flow
and Material Cycling (P-23) (7)
ii) Define Insitu and Exsitu conservation of bio diversity and

Explain (6)
ww (or)
w b) i) Explain the stages in ecological succession using

.Ea
appropriate terminology (P-21) (7)
Data (P-24) syE

ii) Justify India to be a Mega Bio diversity nation with the reqired
(6)
ngi
nee
12a) i) Discuss about the causes, impacts and control measures
of ozone depletion in the atomsphere (P-27) (7)
rin
ii) Write a flow sheet and Explain the steps involved in solid waste
management (P-54) (6)
g.n
(or)
et
b) i) Mention any four air pollutants with their sourses and Emission
contol measures. (P-32) (7)
ii) What are the effects of Marine pollution? (P-57) (6)
13a) i) Explain the stages in desertification (P-59) (7)
ii) What is over utilization of water resourses?Mention the remedial
measures (P-72) (6)
(or)
198

b) i) Write a note on 1) use of fertilizers and pestisides 2)soil salinity

problems (P-74) (7)
ii) List the impact of Deforestation on the Environment (P-68) (6)
14)a) i) What is cyclone? Define cyclone management using

forecasting (P-72) (7)
ii) What is ecomark? Explain (P-75) (6)
ww (or)
b) i) Describe about the air act 1981 (P-108) (7)
w .Ea
ii) Name any three significant bio medical waste and their safe
disposal
syE
(P-110) (6)
15a) i) What is value Education , Mention its Importance. (P-137)
ngi
ii) Explain the role of GIS in Environmental management. (P-129)
nee
(or)
b) i) What is population Explosion ?Give the resons behind it.
(P-148) (7) rin
g.n
ii) Discuss the factors influencing human health under current
environmental conditions. (6)
PART – C (1*15=15 Marks)
et
15a) i) Explain about any two methods of bio degradation of
pollutants (P-21) (8)
ii)Mention a case study on (P-11, 12)
i)man and wild life conflicts
ii)Productive use of bio diversity
199

(or)
b) i) Illustrate any two methods of harnessing alternative sourses
of energy (P-77) (8)
ii) Describe in detail about any one pollution related case
study. (P-80) (7)
B.E/B.TECH DEGREE EXAMINATION, APRIL/MAY

ww 2017
w
Third/Fourth/Fifth/Sixth/Seventh/Eighth Semester
.Ea
syE ENGINEERING
ngi(REGULATION 2013)
Time: Three Hours nee
Maximum: 100 Marks rin
Answer all questions g.n
PART – A (10*2=20 Marks) et
1. What do you understand by species bio-diversity?Give one
example.(P-14)
2. How is nitrogen fixed in soil?(P-15)
3. What are the characteristics of PAN.(P-43)
4. Mention the effects of nuclear waste in human(P-44).
5. Give any two reasons for marine pollution.(P-82)
200

6. Write any two problems caused by high saline soils.(P-84)

7. How is cyclone formed?(P-114)
8. When does rehabilitation arise?.Mention any one problem to
government during rehabilitation.(P-115)
9. What is meant by value education?(P-144)
10. Mention any two welfare programs for children adopted in
India.(P-145)
ww
11a) i) Explain the structure and functions of grass ecosystem
w .Ea
(P-16) (6)
ii) Substantiate the statement ,India as a mega-diversity nation.
syE (or)
(P-21) (7)
ngi
b) i)Write the importance of biological hazard in the environment
nee (6)
ii) Explain the methods of conservation of bio-diversity (P-22) (7)
rin
g.n
12a) i) How is noise pollution controlled? (P-44) (6)
et
ii) Write a detailed note on photochemical reactions taking place in
the atmosphere(7)
(or)
b) i) What are the effects of heavy metals in aquatic environment(6)
ii) What is a particulate matter? How is it controlled by using
equipment?(7)
13a) i) What are the reasons of deforestation. (P-68) (6)
ii) How is bio-gas generated? (P-81) (7)
201

(or)
b) i) Explain in detail the effect of modern agriculture which
includes both beneficial and adverse effects. (P-74) (13)
14)a) i) What is green chemistry?Explain the various principles

of green chemistry with suitable examples.(13)
(or)
ww
b) i) Explain the features of the following i)Air act ii)Forest
conservation act. (P-108) (13)
w15a) i) Describe the following i)Environment and human health
.Ea
relation ii)HIV and Aids. (P-139) (13)
syE (or)
b) i) What do you mean by environmental impact analysis? What are
ngi
the methods followed for EIA(13) (7)
nee
PART – C (1*15=15 Marks)
rin
16a) i) Enlist the rules of management and handling bio-medical
implementation. g.n
waste and analyse critically the problems associated with the
(P-127)
(or) et
b) i) Analyse the environmental effects of extracting and using
mineral resources and write the remedies taken. (P-70)
202

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ANNA UNIVERSITY, CHENNAI-25

GE6351 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND

UNIT I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND

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endemic species of India – conservation of biodiversity: In-situ

UNIT II ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION 10

Definition – causes, effects and control measures of: (a) Air

UNIT III NATURAL RESOURCES 10

Forest resources: Use and over-exploitation, deforestation, case

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forests and tribal people – Water resources: Use and

UNIT IVSOCIAL ISSUES AND THE ENVIRONMENT 7

From unsustainable to sustainable development – urban problems

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conservation, rain water harvesting, watershed management –

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1.Dr.A.Ravikrishna,”Environmental Science & Engineering” Revised

2. Gilbert M.Masters, "Introduction to Environmental Engineering and

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Aim and Objective of the Subject

3. To appreciate the importance of environment by assessing its

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 The study enables one to understand the causes and

ww community action, and to participate in various

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GE 6351 Environmental Science and Engineering

I-ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY

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species of India 105-108

18 II properties of terrestrial and marine water and

19 Water quality parameters- physical, chemical

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resources for sustainable lifestyles 69-72

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44 Population growth, variation among 7.1-7.11,

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UNIT-I ENVIRONMENT, ECOSYSTEM

1. Define the term producer and consumers. (A.U May 2008)

ww (i) Producer synthesizes their food themselves through

3. What is biodiversity? What is its significance? ( A.U.Dec

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Biodiversity is “the variety and variability among all

ww  It protects the fresh air, clean water and land. Loss of

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set of ecosystem is called biome. Thus the biome is a small

7. What are the advantages of In-situ and Ex-situ

ww  It is very cheap and convenient method.

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Physical and Chemical components such as climatic

11. Why is India is a mega diversity nation? (Nov/Dec 2009)

i) Deforestation ii) Destruction of wetlands iii) Habitat et

i) Noise pollution ii) Radioactive radiation

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15.How is nitrogen fixed in soil?

different forms as food. r

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micro organisms into ammonia, nitrates and nitrates,

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